





































































































































































































































































































































































ELEMENTS 


OF 

GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY 

COMBINED, 







IN A 

CATECHETICAL FORM. 

FOR THE USE OF 

FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS. 

RY FREDERICK BUTLER, A. M. 

ACCOMPANIED WITH AN 

ATLAS* 


Geography and History , to be Useful , should It Inseparable » 


jFourtft ignition, 

REVISED, CORRECTED, AND BROUGHT DOWN 
TO THE PRESENT TIME, 


PUBLISHED BY 

JDEHING & FRANCIS, WETHERSFIELD, CONN 
Sold by 

Rossiter Robbins , Cincinnati > Ohio, 


* 


1828 











DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT, SS. 

Be it remembered^ That on the twenty-sixth day of Februar}\ 
L. S. in the forty-ninth year of the independence of the United States, 
of America, Deming & Francis of the said district, have de¬ 
posited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof they claim 
as proprietors, in the words following to wit : 

“ Elements of Geography and History-Combined, m a Catechetical 
Form, for the Use of Families and Schools; by Frederick Butler, A. M. 
Accompanied with an Allas. Geography and History, to be useful, 
should be inseparable.” 

In conformity to the act of the Congress ©f the United States, en¬ 
titled “ An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the 
copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of 
euch copies during the times therein mentioned.” 

CHARLES A. 1NGERSOLL, 

Clerk of the District of Connecticut . 

A true copy of record, examined and sealed by <ne, 
CHARLES A. INGERSOLL, 

Clerk o f the District of Connecticut . 


lit Exchange) 
Duke University 

JUL 1 2 W33 












The Author of this work feels it his duty toqay, that the 
several Geographies now in use in schools, are valuable, as 
far as they extend, and do great credit to their several authors ; 
but he has long been impressed with the belief, that a serious 
defect is common to them all, viz. a want of general history . 
To remedy this defect, the Author published his “Catecheti¬ 
cal Cornpend of History” in 1817, with directions in his pre¬ 
face that it should be taught in schools, upon the maps of the 
several Geographies ; the work was well received, but the 
application to the instruction of Geograph . failed. The pub¬ 
lic soon expressed a desire for a mure enlarged view of the 
subject, which led the Author to publish his “ Sketches of 
Universal History” in 1818. This.was designed mor imme¬ 
diately for the use of Academies, and, was also well received j 
but the intended application to the instruction of Geography 
ailed ; which led the Author to pursue the subject, and adopt 
a third plan, and incorporate witlMhe science* of Geography , 
a general historical viezv of every kingdom and state in the 
\tyodd ; this he accomplished in 1819 ; but owing to unfore¬ 
seen circa mstances, the publication of the work was suspended. 

The Atjthor spared no pains in collecting and arranging such 
facts as' were calculated to render the work useful and inter¬ 
esting ; and has compressed into a small, cheap volume, i mass 
of information, comprising a concise Geographical and Iiistor 
ical view of every State and Nation, from its origin down to 
the present time ; in which all the great political changes, 
ancient and modern, that have taken place in the world, are 
clearly explained. / 

The Geographical descriptions of countries are so arrang¬ 
ed in the work, as to lay the best possible foundation, and pur 
sue the most connected train of history, not only of each 
country, but upon each grand division of the earthso that 
the history when taken collectively, may appear as one con¬ 
nected whole. 

The whole Geographical part is a collection of Questions 
and Answer#, calculated to render a system of instruction easy 




PREFACE. 


arid familiar; numerous other Questions upon the Maps are 
added, in order to exercise the student in his Geographical' 
researches ; promiscuous Questions are also added to the his I 
tory of each country, for the use of schools. 

In compiling this work, the Author had before him the 
Geographies of Morse, (both Universal and Abridgement) 
Cummings, Adams, Dwight, Willett, and Dana’s Sketches of 
the Western States ; from which he made the most valuable 
selections. The historical sketches are. derived from Rollin’s 
Ancient History, Russell’s Modern Europe, Robertson’s South 
America ; and various other writers, particularly upon the 
United States. 

The Author assures the public that he has used every ex¬ 
ertion to have the work correct, by revising and comparing 
it with the latest publications, particularly those ol Morse, 
Worcester, and Woodbridge, and from which he has made 
some valuable selections. How fir the Author has succeed¬ 
ed in his attempts to render the work acceptable, he can with 
cheerfulness rely upon the candour of the public to decide. 

This work is accompanied with an improved Atlas, con¬ 
taining nine Maps, in which all the modern Geographical chan¬ 
ges are carefully and particularly laid down, viz.—I. A Map 
of the World, upon which are designated the degrees of civ- j 
ilization, government, and religion of each country ; also the 
trade winds and gulf-stream of the Atlantic ocean, the mon¬ 
soons of the Indian ocean &e. 11. North America. III. 

The United States, which is much improved, particularly the 
Western Section, and extends to the Pacific ocean, including 
Spanish North America, designating the boundary lines as set- j 
tied with Spain, Russia, and England—also, discoveries, settle^ I 
ments, and military posts upon the Missouri—together with 
the discoveries upon the Columbia river, &c. IV. South 
America. V. Europe. VI. British Isles: and upon that 
of England are designated the several counties that form¬ 
ed the 7 kingdoms of the Saxon Heptarchy. VII. Asia. 
VIII. Africa. IX. Palestine. On the face of all the maps 
are exhibited the height of mountains, length of rivers, and 
the situation of every missionary establishment now formed*. 

Wethersfield, Conn, 1825. 



recommendations. 


Extract from Ike “ American Journal of Education ,*’ an ably conducted 
# ' Review, published at Boston. 

*• Butler’s Elements of Geography and History Combined, con- 
tain much that will be gratifying to every Teacher, who adopts a 
practical inode ol instruction. Some of thq advantages likely to result 
troni the use of this work, are peculiar. Geography is here combined 
with History ; the former science is thus applied to one of its principal 
uses, and is rendered more pleasing, than it otherwise could be to the 
young ; while the latter is practically and thoroughly taught; arid in 
so interesting a'way too, as to produce a desire for a irioie extensive 
knowledge of it. 

Another excellent feature in the plan of this Geography is, that 
half of the book is allotted to America, and much the greater part of 
that space is occupied with the United States.” 


Doyles loum, Penn. Jan. 1826. 

Having examined with considerable attention a mew School Geog¬ 
raphy, by Frederick Butler, I most cheerfully express my approbation 
of the work. The plan of teaching any science by questions and an¬ 
swers, possesses some advantages over the common method ; but the 
great recommendation of this book is, the union of History and Geog¬ 
raphy, to a much greater extent than in any work which 1 have read. 
This cannot fail to aid the student in the acquisition of knowledge, as 
it will give hirn ail opportunity of associating events and dates with 
all those circumstances of place, which are calculated to fix them in 
his memory. The work < ontains a groat deal of matter, which ap¬ 
pears to be judiciously selected. E. SMITH, 

Teacher Union Academy. 


Doyles town , Bucks co. Penn. Jan. 1120. 

I heartily concur in the above recommendation, and wish to add, 
that in my opinion, the Adas which accompanies fhis Geography, con. 
tains a set of maps much better executed than those in most of onr 
School Geographies. Among the improvements to be found r; this 
Atlas, I cannot help mentioning the degrees of Civilization, G em¬ 
inent, Sic. of every State and Nation on the Earth ; these give it a 
decided superiority over every other Atlas with which 1 am a*. uamt« 
ed, GEORGE MURRAY 

Teacher, English Department, Union Academy, 

1 * 






vi' RECOMMENDATIONS, 

. 

Doylesioicn, Penn. 1826. 

Elements of Geography and History Combined, by Freder¬ 
ick Butler, is a work which I most cheerfully recommend to parents, [ 
and to all who are engaged in the instruction of youth. It comprises 
much in a small space ; the arrangement is such as appears to me to 
be well calculated to aid the memory ; the form of question and an¬ 
swer seems the best adapted to the youthful learner, and the union of; 
History and Geography is calculated to impart a higher degree of in¬ 
terest to fche study, and while it aids the memory, furnishes much ad- 
•.Htional knowledge to the mind. CHARLES HYDE, 

Pastor Presbyterian Church, Doylestown. 


Lafayette Seminary, Fayette , Ky. May 30, 1827. 
Frederick Butler, Esq. 

Sir,—Your Elements of Geography and History Combined. 
together with your Atlas, to the former, have recently come under 
my notice, and a'fter a satisfactory examination of the same, most 
cheerfully state, that I am decidedly of the opinion, that it is a work of 
intrinsick merit, and that it has superior claims on the public, f*r en¬ 
couragement, to any other work, of the kind, that has come under my 
notice. 

Given under my hand, the date, &c. above written, 

BEVERLEY A. HICHE, Teacher. 


Bryan's Statibn Seminary, Fayette city , Ky. June 1 , 1827. 

Sir—I have examined with attention your work, entitled Elements 
of Geography and History Combined,' and am decidedly of the opin¬ 
ion, that it is a work better calculated for the use of schools and pri¬ 
vate students, than any of the kind which has preceded it. 

Yours, &c. JOSIAH GAYLE, 

^ Teacher of Latin and the English Sciences 







CONTENTS. 


Introduction 
Grand Divisions 

North America - ’ - 

Greenland 
British Atiferica 
United States 

—Grand Divisions of the United States 
—Eastern States 

—Middle States - - y -' 

—Southern States 
—^Western States 
Spanish North America 
Native Tribes 
West Indies - 

South America 
Colombia 
Guiana 
Brazil • 

Buenos Ayres 
Chih 

Bolivar - 

Peru 

Independent America 
South American Isles 
Europe - - 

Great Britain 
England - 

Scotland - - * 

Ireland - 

British Isles, &c. - 

France - 

Spain 

Portugal - 

Italy 

Italian States - 

Switzerland 
Germany 
■ Austria 
Prussia - 

Saxony 
Hanover 

German States, &c. 

Bavaria - 

Wirtemburg - -* 

Baden—Netherlands 


Page. 

9 

13 

- 14 


22 

23 

33 



7 6 
96 
140 
174 
181 
185 
195 
200 
205 
20 , 6 ; 
208 
210 
'213 
215 

219 

220 
221 
2M 
233 
244 
246 

248 

249 
254 
258 
260 
263 
270 
272 
277 
288 

292 

293 

294 

297 

298 
29 ^ 



vi’i 


CONTENTS. 


Denmark 

Norway 

Sweden *'* 

Lapland 
Russian Empire 
Russia in Europe 
Poland 

Turkey in Europe 
Turkish or Grecian Isles 
Republic of the Seven isles 
Grecian Revolution 
Asia 

Turkey in Asia 
Arabia 
Persia 
Tartary 

f Russia in Asia 
Chinese Tartary 
Independent Tartary 
Thibet 
China 


' Corea 
Japan 
ilmdooslan 
British India 
Further India 
Asiatic Isles 
Australasia 
Polynesia 
Af;uca 

Northern Africa 

Egypt 

Nubia 

Abyssinia 
Middle Africa 
Eastern Coast 
Cape of Good Hope 
Western Coast 
African Isles 

Astronomical Geography 
Geometneal Definitions 
Qf the Globes 
Of Maps 

Construction of Maps 
Promiscuous Questions on the Atlas 


30-J 

306 , 

307 

310 

it 

311 
316 

313 

321 

tw 

323 

332 

339 

344 

347 

350 

353 
354 . ' 
3 

357 
361 
. 362 
363 
366 
368 
371 
- • 374 
376 
378 
381 • 


388 
- • 310 

391 

392 

tfc 

393 
396 
399 

405 

406 
411 
413 
415 


ELEMENTS 


. OF 

GEOGRAPHY AND DCZS^ORV 

COMBINED. 


Xntrutiuctiou. 

Q. What is Geography ? 

A. Geography is a description of the Earth. 

Q. How may Geography be divided ? 

A. Geography maybe divided into Physical, Political, Sta¬ 
tistical and Astronomical. 

Q. What is Physical Geography ? 

A. Physical Geography is a description ofthe Form of the 
Earthy with its natural divisions, productions, climates, &c. 

Q. What is Political Geography ? 

A. Political Geography is a description of Human Society. 

Q. What is Statistical Geography ? 

A. Statistical Geography is a description of the Extent, 
Population, and Resources of Nations. 

Q, What is Astronomical Geography? 

A. Astronomical Geography shews the connecfion-between 
the Earth, and the Sun, Moon, and other heavenly bodies, 
and the relation they bear to each other. 

Q. What is the figure of the Earth ? 

A. The Earth is nearly i Sphere or Globe ; and is termed 
a spheroid, because the di .meter through the equator, from 
east to west, is thirt}'-four miles longer than the diameter 
through the poles, from north to south. 

Q. What is the length of the Earth’s diameter ? 

A. The Earth’s diameter is about eight thousand miles, 
and its circumference twenty-five thousand miles. 



JO 


INTRODUCTION, , 


Q. How it the earth known to be a globe ? 

A. The earth is known to be globular from its Raving been 
circumnavigated, from the form of its shadow upon the moon 
at an eclipse, and from analogy to all the other heavenly 
bodies. 


NATURAL DIVISIONS. 

Q. What are the natural or physical divisions of the globe ? 

A. Land and water. 

Q. What proportion island ? 

A. About fVvo-fiftbs. 

Q. What proportion is water ? 

A. About three-tilihs 

Q. What are the natural or physical divisions of the land ? 

A. The land is divided into continents, islands, peninsulas, 
isthmuses, capes, promontories, mountains, coasts and shores'. 

Q. What are the natural or physical divisions of the water? 

A. The water is divided into oceans, seas, gul/s, bays, chan¬ 
nels, straits, roads, sounds, havens, lakes and rivers. 

Q. How do these natural divisions of the earth correspond with 
each other ? 

A. They have a striking resemblance in their several 
forms. 

Q. What is a continent and what does it resemble ? - 

A. A continent is the largest body of Laid, and resembles 
an ocean, which is the largest collection or body of water. 

Q. What is an island, and what does it resemble ? 

A. An. island is a body of land entirely surrounded by wa¬ 
ter, and resembles a lake , which is a collection of water en¬ 
tirely surrounded by la.idi 

- Q. What is a peninsula, and what does if>resemble ? 

A. A •peninsula is a body of l aid almost surrounded by 
water, and resembles a sea or gulf, which is a collection of 
water almost surrounded by land, 

Q. What is an isthmus, and what does it resemble ? ' 

A. An isthmus is a narrow neck of land,that joins two con¬ 
tinents, as ttye i-lhmus of Dariep, and resembles a strait, which 
is a narrow passage of water that unites it sea with an ocean, 
as the strait of Gibraltar. 

Q. What is a promentory, and what does it resemble ? 

A. A promontory is a momttain that projects into the sea, 
and resembles a bay, which is an arm of the sea that projects 
into the land. 

Q. What is the difference between a promontory and a cape ? 

A. A promontory is an elevated, or high hind, and a care 
is low, flat land ; both project into the sea. 


INTRODUCTION, 


n 


Q. What is a mountain, and what does it resemble? 

A A mountain is an elevated *body of land, more or less 
extensive, and answers to a river , which is a deep collection 
of water, more or less extensive. 

Q. What is a coast ? 

A. A coast is an extensive border of an ocean. 

Q. What is a shore ? 

A. A shore is a more limited border of an ocean, sea, lake, 
or river. 

Q. What is a channel ? 

A. A channel is a narrow passage of water from one sea to 
another. 

Q. What is a road ? 

A. A road is a convenient place of anchorage for ships, 
without the port or harbour. 

Q. What is a frith or estuary ? 

A. An estuary or frith is an extended opening of a river at 
its mouth, resembling a gulf. 

Q. What is a sound ? 

A. A sound is a strait where ships can find anchorage. 
POLITICAL DIVISIONS. 

Q. Which are the grand political divisions of the Earth ? 

A. Empires, kingdoms, oligarchies, principalities, and re¬ 
publics. 

Q. What is an Empire ? 

A. It is the union of several distinct states and govern¬ 
ments under one head, called an Emperor. 

Q. What is a Kingdom ? 

A. It is generally the union of one state or nation, under 
‘ one head, called a King. 

Q. What is an Oligarchy? 

A. It is generally the government of a small 6tate, which is 
in the hands of the nobility. 

Q. What is a Dutehy or Principality ? 

A. It is the government of a small state by a Duke, or Prince, 
who is subject to some other power. 

Q. What is a Republic ? 

A. it is a government in the hands of the people, and admin¬ 
istered by their representatives, legally chosen. 

CIVIL DIVISIONS. 

Q. What is a constitution of civil government ? 

A. That system of laws, rules, and regulations, by which 
the rights and duties of the- rulers and people, are defined and 
protecfed. 



INTRODUCTION. 


It 

Q. What constitute the essential parts of a free government: 

A. The Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary departments 

Q. What are the duties of the Executive department ? 

A. To preserve order, and enforce the laws. 

Q. What are the duties of the Legislative department ? 

A. To frame and enact the laws, and provide for their sup¬ 
port. 

Q. What are the duties of the Judiciary department ? 

A. To interpret the laws, and apply them in their opera¬ 
tion. 

Q. What is a republican form of government termed .? 

A. The Congress, which consists of a President. Vice-Pres ¬ 
ident, a Senate, and House of Representatives ; all chosen bv 
the people. 

Q. What constitutes a mixed menarchy ? 

A. A mixed monarchy, partakes of the three governments, 
viz. Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy, or Republican- 

Q. What is this form of government termed ? 

A. The Parliament, which consists of the King, House of 
Lords, and House of Commons : the two first are hereditary, 
and the last is elective. 

Q. What principle in nature was the causo #f civil government 

A. Necessity, or self preservation, and equal right* 

RELIGIOUS DIVISIONS. 

Q. Which are the principal religions in the jvorld ? 

A. The Pagan, or Heathen religion, Natural religion, Juda 
ism, the Christian, and Mahometan. 

Q. Which is the Pagan, or Heathen religion ? 

A. That which ascribes religious worship to idols, or ima¬ 
ges of any kind, called idolatry. 

Q. What is Natural religion ? 

A. That which acknowledges one Supreme God, but denies 
Divine revelation, called Deism. 

Q. What is Judaism ? 

A. The religion of Moses, and the ancient prophets, of the 
Old Testament part of the Bible. 

Q. What is Christianity ? 

A. The religion taught by Josus Christ and his apostles. 

Q. What is Mahometanism.? 

A. The religion of the Koran, as taught by the impostor 
Mahomet. 


GRAND DIVISIONS. 


1" 


GRAND DIVISIONS. 

Q. How many continents are there and- how are they divided ? 

A. There are on the globe two continents, viz. the Eastern 
and Western. The eastern continent is divided into Europe, 
Asia, and Africa ; the western continent is divided into North 
and South America. 

Q. Which is the iargest d.'vision and how is it situated ? 

A. America is the largest division, and is situated between 
30 degrees of north latitude and 56 degrees of south latitude : 
between 35 deg. and 169 deg. of west longitude. 

Q. What is the extent of America ? 

A. America is about 9000 miles long, and 3700 miles broad, 
in the widest part ; it is but 60 miles at the isthmus of Darien. 

Q. Which is the next largest division ? 

A. Asia is the second division in size, and is situated between 
the equator and 80 deg. of north latitude ; and between 25 
deg. and 170 deg. of east longitude. 

Q. What is its extent ? 

A. Asia is about 4700 miles long and 4300 broad. 

Q. Which is the next largest division ? 

A. Africa is the third division in size, and is situated between 
37 deg. of north latitude, and 34 deg. of south latitude ; between 
17 deg. of west longitude, and 51 deg. ot east longitude ; it is 
about 4300 miles long and 3500 broad. 

Q. Which is the next largest division ? 

A. Europe is the fourth division in size, and is situated be¬ 
tween 35 deg. and 75 deg. of north latitude, and 8 deg. of wesi 
longitude and 60 deg. of east longitude ; it is about 3300 miles 
long and the same in breadth. 

Q. How many Oceans arc there ? 

A. There are five Oceans, viz. the great Pacific, lying bt^ 
tween Asia and America ; the Atlantic, lying between Europe 
and America ; the Northern, lying about the north pole ; the. 
Southern, lying about the south pole ; and the Indian, lying 
south of Asia and east of Africa. 

Q. How are the islands situated ’ 

A. [The islands will be considered in connection with the 
several portions of the globe to which they more immediate!}’ 
belong.] 


£ 


14 


NORTH AMERICA. 


NORTH AMERICA. 

Q. What is the situation and extent of North America ? 

A. North America extends from 7 deg. 30 min. north latitude 
to the 80th deg. or the pole, and from 90 deg. west to 20 deg. 
east longitude, from Philadelphia ; average breadth about 2000 
miles; and is bounded on the north by the Northern ocean, 
on the east by the Atlantic, on the south by- the isthmus of Da¬ 
rien and the gulf of Mexico, and on the west by the Pacific. * 

Q. Which are the statistical divisions of North America ? 

A. North America is all included under the dominions of 
Great Britain, the United States, Spain or Independent Spanish 
America, Russia, and the Aborigines. The island of Green¬ 
land is claimed by Denmark. 

Q. What are the climate and face of the country ? 

A. North America enjoys all the climates in the woi Id, em¬ 
bracing the torrid, temperate and frigid zones ; it is intersected 
with the most extensive ranges of mountains, the largest lakes, 
and the longest rivers in the world. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The Rocky or Chippewan range extends from the isth¬ 
mus of Darien to the Northern ocean. 

Q. What is the general elevation of this range ? 

A.^In Mexico it rises to an elevation of about 9000 feet above 
the level of the sea, and forms the extensive table-lands of that 
country.f 

Q. Which are the principal peaks of this range ? 

A. Popocatepetl and Orizaba, in Mexico, which are volca¬ 
noes ,* Highest Peak, and James’ Peak, near the sources of the 
Arkansaw and La Platte rivers. The two first are about 17,000 
feet, and the two last from 11 to 12,500 feet. These, with 
many others are covered with perennial snow. 

Q. What is the average breadth of this range f 

A. About 50 miles. 

Q. What other mountains are connected with this rano-e ? 

A. A branch extends from the northern part of the Rocky 
mountains, in a north-easterly direction to Labrador ; another 
range rises in California and extends near the coast of the Pa¬ 
cific, up to the 60th degree of north latitude, where it termi¬ 
nates in Mount St. Elias, an elevation 18,000 feet above the lev¬ 
el of the sea. 

t All extensive level trade of land, on high elevations, are termed 

table-lands. 


NORTH AMERICA. 


15 


list are the natural advantages of these ranges of mountains ? 

A. These mountains give rise to the majestic rivers that flow 
into the Pacific ocean, the Northern ocean, the gulf of Mexico, 
Hudson’s bay, and the gulf of St. Lawrence. 

Q. What other important ranges of mountains are found in North 
America ? 

A. The great eastern or Apalachian chain. 

Q. What is the course and extent of this range ? 

A. The Apalachian or Allegany chain rises at the Chicka¬ 
saw bluffs, on the southern, borders of Tennessee, and taking 
an easterly direction through the northern sections of the states 
ofMississippi, Alabama and Georgia, enters South Carolina, and 
thence taking a north-eastern direction, runs nearly parallel 
with the coast, and terminates in the Catskill bluffs, on the Hud- 
m son river. 

1 Q. What is the average height of this range ? 

A. From 1000 to 4000 feet ; and its average breadth about 
150 miles. 

Q. Which are t he most considerable branches of this range ? 

A. 1 he Clinch mountains of Tennessee, and the Cumber¬ 
land mountains of Kentucky. 

Q. What other range is connected with this chain ? 

A. The Blue ridge, which rises near the source of the Apa¬ 
lachian chain, and running parallel with it, terminates at West- 
Point, on the Hudson. 

Q. What ranges of mountains east of the Hudson are connected with 
this chain ? 

A. The Taghonnuc range, which appears to be a continua¬ 
tion of the Blue ridge, until it unites with the Green mountains 
of Vermont, near Bennington. Next is the central range, that 
commences at the New-JIaven bluff', and runs through Connec¬ 
ticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, and forms the Green moun¬ 
tain range. The third is the eastern range, that commences at 
East Rock, near New-Iiaven, and running north, crosses the 
Connecticut river at, Northampton, where it soon unites with 
another range that rises at Lyme, near the Sound ; these united, 
form the range of the White mountains, that extend to the 
northern boundary of the United States. 

Q. Which is the highest elevation of these ranges ? 

A. The White Hills of New Hampshire, which rise to the 
height of 6,634 feet above the level of the sea, and are capped 
with snow 10 or 11 months in the year ; theirsummits are gen¬ 
erally covered with white, fleecy clouds, from whence they 
derive their name. 




\G NORTH AMERICA. 

Q. What other mountains in Ncw-England are connected with 
these Tanges? 

A. Several, which will be considered in connection with the 
•States in which they are situated. 

Q. Which are the principal declivities formed by these several ran¬ 
ges of mountains ? 

A. The great western declivity of the Rocky or Chippewan, 
range, through which the waters pass off into the Pacific ocean ; 
the northern declivity of the same range, through which the 
waters run into the Artie ocean ; the eastern declivity of the 
same chain, in connection with the western declivity of the Ap- 
alachian chain, through which, in connection with the great 
southern declivities of the two chains, the waters pass off into 
the gulf of Mexico. Also the eastern declivity of the Apalach- 
ian chain, through which the waters run into the Atlantic ocean. 
These declivities, together with the basin of the St. Lawrence,** 
embracing the great lakes, between the northern and southern 
declivities, drain off the vast waters of North America, 

RIVERS. 

Q,. Which are the principal rivers t 

A. The principal rivers of North America are, the Colum¬ 
bia, or river of the west, or the Origon, that forms the great 
basin that drains off the waters west of the Stony range; the 
Missouri, in connection with the Mississippi, that forms the, 
great central basin of North America ; the St. Lawrence, that 
forms the great basin that drains off the waters of the great 
lakes. [The other numerous rivers that flow into the Atlantic 
ocean, Hudson’s bay, the Artie ocean, and gulf of Mexico, are* 
best described on the Map of North America.] 


LAKES. 

Q. What is the number of lakes in North America ? 

A. The number oflakes in North America is about 20G. 

Q. Which are the principal lakes ? . 

A. Lake Superior is the largest body of fresh w r ater on the 
globe, and is about 15 or 1G00 miles in circumference. 

Q. What is the genera 1 , character of this lake ? 

A. Lake Superior is surrounded by a rocky shore, and is 
subject to storms more violent than the ocean ; it abounds with 
a great variety of valuable fish, and contains numerous islands. 

Q. Which are the next in size ? 

A. The next in size are Michigan, Erie, Ontario, and Cham¬ 
plain ; these lakes are navigable for large vessels, and have 
become famous for their naval combats. 




INLAND NAVIGATION. 


17 


Q* Which are the^other lakes of North Aniorica ? 

A. The other lakes of North America are generally small. 
,and will be considered in connection with those sections of 
country in which they are situated. 

BAYS. 

Q. Which are the principal bays in North America ? 

A. The principal bays in North America, are Baffin ’9 bay, 
Hudson’s bay, Chesapeake bay, Massachusetts and Boston bay, 
Delaware bay, bay ot Fundy, &c. [For the other numerous 
bays see the map of North America.] 

) ■ x ■ 

GULFS. 

Q. Which arc the principal gulfs of North America? 

« A. The gulfs of Mexico and Florida on the south, the gulf 
of St. Lawrence on the east, and the gulf of California on the 
1 west. 

STRAITS. 

Q. Which are the principal straits ? 

A. Davis’ and Hudson’s straits, and straits of Bellisle, on the 
east, and Beering’s straits on the north-west. 

[For the principal capes, promontories, peninsulas, sounds, 
&c. see the map ofNorth America.] 

• 

INLAND NAVIGATION. 

Q. Which are the principal channels of inland navigation ? 

A. The St. Lawrence, Mississippi, Missouri, and Columbia, 
are the principal channels of inland navigation in North Ameri- 
j ca. 

Q. Can you describe the navigation of the St. Lawrence ? 

A. The St. Lawrence is navigable to Quebec for ships of the 
line, and to Montreal for ships of 5 or 600 tons ; from thence 
a boat navigation commences to lake Ontario, which is naviga¬ 
ble to the river Niagara, for sloops and large vessels, 170 miles ; 
a portage at the falls, of 7 miles, commences the navigation of 
Jake Erie, for vessels of 60 or 70 tons, to Detroit, 230mile9 ; 
by the straits of Detroit 28 miles, lake St. Clair 20 miles, and 
the river St. Clair 60 miles, the navigation continues into lakes 
Huron and Michigan. From lake Huron, through the, canal at 
the rapids of St. Mary, the navigation extends through lake Su¬ 
perior to the 9 mile portage, which opens the navigation of the 
lake of the Woods, 1100 miles from Montreal. Here commen¬ 
ces the navigation of the great north-western chain of lakes 
that extends to Hudson’s bay. (See the map.) 

2 * 




NORTH AMERICA. 


18 


Q. Which is the more common route of the fur traders? 

A. The route of the fur traders is from Montreal up the Ot- 
awas river, and across to lake Huron by the way of lake Nipis- 
$lng and the French river. 

Q. How may the grand route of the St. Lawrence be extended to the 
Mississippi ? 

A. By a canal from the head waters of the Fox river, (that 
falls into the north-west part of lake Michigan, through Green 
bay,) to the waters of the Ouisconsin, which falls into the Mis¬ 
sissippi. 

Q. What other routes are connected with this chain ? 

A. The navigation of the Hudson river, which extends 
through the great northern canal from fort Edward to White 
Hall, on lake Champlain, and through this lake down the river 
Sorelle to the St. Lawrence. The grand western canal that 
extends from Albany along the banks of the Mohawk river to 
Rome, and from thence to Buffalo, on lake Erie, a distance of 
more than 300 miles, where it meets the route of the St. Law¬ 
rence. 

Q. What variation may be given to the grand route of the St. Law¬ 
rence ? 

A. A canal is contemplated from the head waters of the Chi¬ 
cago, at the south-western extremity of lake Michigan, to the 
head waters of the Illinois, which will open a communication 
from New-York to the Mississippi, and to the head w aters of 
the Missouri. 

Q. How far may this route be extended ? 

A. By a portage of about one mile from the head waters of 
the Yellow Stone, or Missouri, to the head Waters of Clark’s 
river, (a branch of the Columbia,) it will extend to the Paciric 
ocean. 

Q. What other variation may be given to this route ? 

A. A canal from the head waters of the Maumee to the head 
waters of the Wabash, will open a communication from lake 
Erie to the Mississippi, through the river Ohio. Another canal 
from the head waters of the Cayahoga to the head waters of the 
Muskingum, will open another communication from lake Erie to 
the river Ohio. A canal is now in forwardness from the mouth 
of the Scioto, on the Ohio, to Cleaveland, on lake.Eiie, about 
306 miles. 

Q,. Are these canals practicable ? 

A. Congress have appropriated 100,000 acres of land for the 
accomplishment of the one, and 200,000 for the accomplish¬ 
ment of the other, of these contemplated canals. 

Q. Which is the next most extensive route of inland navigation ? 

A, Through the channel of the Mississippi river, to the hcaS 





HISTORY. 


49 

waters of the Missouri, which extends more than 4000 miles- 
This route also embraces the navigation of all the tributary 
streams of the Mississippi and Missouri, which are too numep 
ous and extensive to be inserted here. (See the atlas.) 

Q. Which is the next important channel of inland navigation? 

A. The Chesapeake bay, with its numerous inlets and 
streams, opens an inland communication with the states of Vir¬ 
ginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, that extends to 
the southern line of the state of Nevv-York, on the north, and 
the Allegany range on the west. Also, by the grand portage, 
from Cumberland, on the Potomac, to Wheeling, on the Ohio, 
(called the great Cumberland road,) it opens a communication 
across the Allegany to the Mississippi, through the river Ohio. 

Q. What improvements are contemplated on this route ? 

A. A canal is projected from Baltimore to Philadelphia,! and 
another from the head waters of the Potomac to the head waters 
of the Mon'ongahela, which will extend the inland navigation ol 
the Chesapeake to Pittsburg, on the Ohio. 

Q. Which are the next important channels of inland navigation ? 

A. The state of Alabama is watered extensively by the river 
Alabama, and its tributary streams, which connect the internal 
navigation of that state with the gulf of Mexico. [The internal 
navigation of the Atlantic states will be considered separately, 
in connection with each state.] 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of North America? 

A. North America was tirst discovered by John Cabot in the 
year 1496, which caused a spirit of adventure for further dis-* 
coveries, and the continent was visited by a succession of ad¬ 
venturers through the 16th century, from England and France ; 
but no settlements were made on the eastern shores until the 
forepart of the 17th century. 

About the year 1517, the Spaniards, from their settlements on 
the island of Cuba, explored the shores of the gulf of Mexico 
as far west as the isthmus of Darien ^ but made no settlements 
until the Spanish adventurer Cortez, conquered the kingdom 
of Mexico, in 1521. This laid the foundation of the Spanish 
settlements and dominions in North America. 

At this time the whole continent of North America was pos¬ 
sessed by numerous tribes of Indians, who were all in a state 
of nature, ot an olive complexion, savage in their manners 

t This connects Chesapeake aTid Deiawarebays, an4 is nearly actom-. 
piislied. 


20 


NORTH AMERICA. 


and habits, and without the arts, or even the use of iron. The 
Mexicans were in’ some respects an exception to this general 
character ; they possessed an extensive empire upon the south¬ 
western section of North America, governed by a regular 
system of laws, with the great monarch Montezuma at their 
head ; they were idolaters, but not in common with the other 
Aborigines ; they worshipped the sun, and had a regular 
priesthood : their capital was a regular built city, ornamented 
with rich and splendid temples, particularly the temple of the 
sun. (See Mexico.) 

Florida was discovered by Ferdinand de Soto, early in the 
16th century, and several attempts “were made to settle the 
country by the French and Spaniards soon after ; but no per¬ 
manent settlements were effected until about the* middle' of the 
17th century. (See Florida.) 

In 1608, the French commenced the settlement of Quebec 
in Lower Canada, and continued to settle the province until 
they were dispossessed by the English at the peace of Paris, 
1763, which commenced the dominion of Great Britain in 
Canada. 

In the year 1607. the English commenced the settlement of 
Jamestown, in Virginia ; but it did not become permanent until 
1610, which commences the history of Virginia, under lord 
Delaware. 

Attempts were made by sir Walter Raleigh, and others, to 
settle Carolina, in connection with Virginia, hut they all failed 
until the year 1663, when the first permanent settlement com¬ 
menced in Carolina. 

In the year 1613, the Dutch from Holland, commenced the 
settlement ofNew-York. In 1664, the English seized on the 
city and colony of New-York, and their possession was con¬ 
firmed by the peace of Breda, 1667. 

Iiv 1620, the English commenced the settlement of Plymouth. 

Questions for Reviewing the History. 

When and by whom was North America discovered ? 

When and by whom was Mexico discovered, and conquered? 

What was the general character of the natives at that time ? 

What exceptions to this general character were peculiar to the Mexicans? 
When and by whom was Florida discovered, and when settled ? 

When did the French commence the settlement of Canada, and when 
was it conquered by the English ? 

When did the English commence the settlement of Virginia ? 

When did the English commence the settlement of Carolina ? 

When did the Dutch commence the settlement of New York ? 

When was it taken by, and confirmed to the English ? 




HISTORY, 


it 

in New-England, winch laid the foundation of the five New- 
England colonies, New-Hampshire, \ ermont, Massachusetts 
Rhode-Island and Connecticut. 

In 1626, the Swedes commenced the settlement of Dela¬ 
ware. In 1656, the Dutch government of New-York dispos¬ 
sessed th 0 . Swedes, and annexed the settlement to New-York. 

In 1633, the English commenced the settlement of Maryland*- 
under lord Baltimore. 

Louisiana was first discovered by Ferdinand de Soto, about 
the middle of the 10th.century. About the middleof the 17th 
century it was explored and settled by the French, under the 
reign of Louis XIV. (See Louisiana.) 

In 1664, the English commenced the settlement ofNew-Jer- 
sey, under lord Carteret ; and in 1674, the colony was divid¬ 
ed by the proprietors into East and West-Jersey ; but they 
have continued under one government. 

In, 1601, the colony of Pennsylvania was settled under Wm. 
Penn. 

Georgia was originally considered as a part of Carolina ; hut 
no permanent settlements were made until the year 1732, when 
general Oglethorpe commenced the settlement of Georgia. 

In 1754, these colonies, in connection with Great Britain, 
commenced a’war with the French in Canada, called the French 
and Indian war, that continued to the capture of Quebec, in 
1759, and the cessation of hostilities with France in America* 
1761 . 

Canada and Nova Scotia were ceded by France to Great 
Britain at the Peace of Paris, February, 1763 ; but the Indian 
war continued to rage in America until September, 1764. 

In 1764, Great Britain commenced a system of taxation upon 
her North American colonies, which, by their firm resistance 
led to a war that commenced April, 1775. 

When and where did the English commence the settlement of Nevv- 
England ? 

When did the Swedes commence the settlement of Delaware, and when 
was it taken by the Dutch ? 

When was Maryland settled by the English ? 

When and by whom was Louisiana discovered and settled ? 

When and by whom was New Jersey settled ? 

When and by whom was Pennsylvania settled ? 

When and by whom was Georgia settled ? 

When did the old French war commence, and when did it close? 

What territories of France in America were ceded to G.Britain in 176^? 
When did the Indian war close in America? 

When and in what manner did G. Britain begin to oppress her Amer^ 
can colonies, and what was the result ? 






GREENLAND. 


C>i) 

In 1773, adventurers began to explore the country west of j a 
flie Allegany mountains, and east of the Mississippi, for the ! i 
purpose of settling ; and the same year colonel Daniel Boon 
commenced the first settlement in Kentucky. 

When did the fit st settlements commence west of the Allegany moan- ^ 
tains ? 


GREENLAND* 

Q. Is Greenland a part of the'continent of North America ? 

A. Geographers have generally considered Greenland as a 
part of North America, but since the straits oi Barrow have 
been explored, as far as the 114th degree of west longitude, and 
the Artie ocean has been seen by Hearne, Franklin, and Mac* 
kenzie, at three distinct points, between that and Beering’s 
straits, it has been generally considered, as an island. 

Q. How is Greenland situated? 

A. Between the 60th degree of north latitude and the pole, 
and between the Frozen ocean on the east, and Davis’ straits, ; 
Baffin’s bay and the Artie ocean on the west. 

Q. What are the face of the country, climate, and population ? 

A. Greenland is a dreary, solitary waste, locked in the 86- a 
verities of winter about eight months in the year; the sum¬ 
mers of Greenland last but about two months, which are onei 
continued day, and produce a scanty*pittance to a dwarfish race] 
of Esquimaux Indians, who are supposed not to exceed 10 or 
12 , 000 . 

Q. Which arc the known mountains of Greenland ? 

A. These are an elevated groupe, which may be seen forty f 
or fifty leagues at sea, upon the western border, and are called 
the Stag’s horn. 

Q. Are there any settlements in Greenland ? 

A. The Danes and Norwegians have several settlemen'« 
upon the south-western borders of Greenland, which have 
been visited by Christian missionaries. 

Q. What are the animals of Greenland ? 

A. The animals of Greenland are such as are common to the 
frozen regions, reindeers, foxes, bears, &c. They have a va¬ 
riety of fowls, and fish, that visit their shores ; also the seal 
and walrus. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Greenland ? 

A, Greenland was first discovered and settled from Norway 

Y II 






UPPER CANADA. 


23 


by the Danes, in the year 1682 ; it was partially christianized 
about the year 1720, by Egede, a Lutheran ; since that time it 
has been considered as a missionary station. In 1733, Mat¬ 
thew Stach began his missionary labours in Greenland. 

Questions .—By whom was Greenland first discovered, and what year • 
By whom christianized, and when ? Who first commenced missionary 
labours in Greenland ? In what year ? 


BRITISH AMERICA. 

Q. What provinces belong to British America ? 

, A* 1 he provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, including 
Nevv Britain, or the country about Hudson’s hay ; the islands 
of Newfoundland and Cape Breton ; New Brunswick, Nova 
Scotia, and the island of St. John’s. f I he population of British 
America is about 500,000 exclusive of the Aborigines. 

UPPER CANADA. 

Q . What are the situation and extent of Upper Canada ? 

A. Upper Canada lies between 42 deg. and 52 deg. of north 
latitude, and-between 74 deg. and 97 deg. of west longitude : 
and is 1100 miles long and 500 broad. 

Q. How is it bounded ? 

A. It is bounded on the north by Nevv South Wales or Hud- 
son’s bay ; on the east by the river Ottawas, which divides it 
from Lower Canada ; on the south by a line running through 
the centre of the great lakes, which divides it from the United 
States ; on the west by Detroit river and lake Winnipeg, or 
the 97th deg. of west longitude, or rather by one vast forest 
that extends to the territory of the U. States on the west, and 
the Russian territory on the north-west. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. Upper Canada is divided into 19 counties, and these into 
townships of 12 by 9 miles square. Population about 100,000, 
mostly English, and many of them emigrants from the United 
States. 

Q. What is the climate of Upper Canada ? 

A. It is remarkably salubrious ; the winters are five or six 
weeks shorter than in Lower Canada, at and about Quebec., 
and much more mild ; the heats ef summer are also more mild, 
and the frosts of autumn are later, and more favorable to the 
crops of the seasom 



UPPER CANADA. 


04 


Q. Wliat is the face of the country ? 

A. Generally level, with many prairies or natural- meadows, 
of a rich soil. 

Q. What are the productions ? 

A. Wheat, rye, corn, oats, flax, barley, &c. the same as are 
common to the northern states : with a spontaneous growth of 
hops, grapes, &c. 

Q. What are its mineral productions ? 

A. Iron, copper, &c. 

Q. Which are its principal rivers? 

A. St. Lawrence, Ottawa?, and Grand river, are the princi¬ 
pal rivers in Upper Canada. 

Q. Which are its principal lakes ? 

A. Winnipeg, Superior and Huron, on the west; Erie and 
Ontario, on the south ; with Simcoe, NipiSsing, Temiskanning, 
&c. in the interior. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. York, the capital of Upper Canada, situated upon lake 
Ontario, with an excellent harbour ; Kingston, Queenston and 
Newark. 

Q. What is the government of this province ? 

A. Its government is under the direction of the Governor 
General of British America, who resides at Quebec. 

Q. What is the religion ? 

A. It consists of several denominations, and the government 
allows a free toleration. 

Q. What is the state of learning ? 

A. Such as is common to the new settlements in the United 
States. 

Q. What are the natural curiosities ? 

A. The falls of Niagara, and an inflammable spring near the 
falls, that emits a gas that will boil water in a few minutes ; al¬ 
so a volcano near Burlington, are the natural curiosities of U. 
•Canada. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Upper Canada ? 

A. It was erected into a colony in 1791 ; and became the} 
theatre of war, after Commodore Perry’s victory upon lake 
£rie, in 1814. 

Questions .—When was Upper Canada erected into a.colony- ? 
tfats it effected by Commodore Perry’s victory ? 



BRITISH AMERICA, 


LOWER CANADA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Lower Canada ? 

A. Lower Canada is situated between 45 deg. and 52 deg„ 
of north latitude, and between 61 deg. and 71 deg. of west 
longitude. It is 800 mdes long and 500 broad. 

1 Q. How is it bounded ? 

A. It is bounded on the north by Labrador ; east by Lab 
J rador, the gulf of St. Lawrence, and New Brunswick ; south 
by the United States ; and west by Upper Canada. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 6 districts, 21 counties, and again into 
towns. Population about 300,000. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. Near the gulf of St. Lawrence, the winters are very se 
vere ; but between Qifebec andJMontreal they are more mild> 
The summers of this province are variable, and at times in 
tensely hot. In the south-western parts, vegetation commen 
ces in the spring, nearly two months earlier, than in the north 
eastern. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The basin of St. Lawrence extends through the province, 
inclosed by two declivities, or ranges of mountains, and the 
face of the country is agreeably undulated. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil is generally fertile in the vale of the St. Law 
rence ; and the productions the same as in Upper Canada, and 
New England. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The St. Lawrence extends through the province ol 
Lower Canada, and discharges the vast w r aters of all the great 
lakes into the gulf of its own name. This gulf is 90 mile*; 
wide at its mouth, and embosoms the island of Anticosti. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

| A. Quebec and Montreal. 

Quebec, city, N. A. capital of Lower Canada, on a promontory, cu 
I W. side of the St. Lawrence, 180 miles below Montreal, nearly 400 
; from the sea, 700 W. by N. Halifax. Lon. 71. 12. W. Lat. 46. 49 
I N. Pop. in 1818, 15.257; Catholics 11,991 ; Protestants 3,246 
J Catholics stated, in 1820, at 14,000. Houses in 1818, 2,070. The 
promontory on which Quebec is built, is formed by the rivers St Law 
rence and St. Charles, and is the termination of a ridge of land, gener 
*4ally from one to two miles wide, which runs from east to west. On 
the north it has the bold promontory of Cape Diamond, rising almost 
perpendicularly 345 feet above the water ; and across it, at the N. E. 
or lower end, the city is built. The fortifications extending across the 
peninsula, shut in the ground on which the city stands, the circuit of 
which is about two and a half miles. It is divided into two parts 

3 * 


LOWER CANADA. 


26 

Upper and Lower. The Upper town is situated on the side of Cape 
Diamond which slopes to the north, towards the river St. Charles. It 
is separated from the Lower town by a line of steep rocks, which runs 
from the Cape to the west. The Lower town is situated immediately 
under Cape Diamond, on ground that may be termed artificial as for¬ 
merly, at flood tide, the water of the river used to wash the very foot 
of the rock. The streets run from the upper side of Cape Diamond 
down to the St. Charles, a distance of about half a mile ; they are of 
considerable breadth, and the houses large and commodious ; those 
next to the river have attached to them very extensive warehouses, 
and vessels come close to the wharves to discharge their cargoes. The 
communication from the Lower to the Upper town is by a winding 
street, at the top of which is a fortified gate. 

The Upper town is the seat of government, and the principal resi¬ 
dence of the military. The peculiar situation occasions great irregu¬ 
larity and unevenness in the streets. Many of them are narrow, but 
most of them are well paved ; the breadth of.the principal ones is 32 
feet; others only from 24 to 27 feet. The houses are mostly built of 
stone, of very unequal height, with high sloping roofs. Great im¬ 
provement has of late years taken place in the modo of-building ; and 
many of the houses are modern and very handsome. The principal 
public buildings are the castle of St. Louis, the Hotel Dieu, which in¬ 
cludes a convent, hospital, Szc .; the convent of Ursulines, the monas¬ 
tery of the Jesuits, now used for barracks; the Protestant and Catho¬ 
lic cathedrals, the Scots church, the Lower town church, the court 
house, the jail, the artillery barracks, the armory, and the French sem¬ 
inary or college, containing usually about 200 pupils. Some of the 
public buildings are spacious and elegant ; but they do not add very 
much to the general appearance of the city. The castle of St. Louis, 
the governor’s residence, is a handsome stone building of three stories, 
situated on the summit of a rock near the edge of a precipice, upwards 
of 200 feet high. The armory contains small arms in complete repair 
for the equipment of 20,000 men. 

Quebec is esteemed the strongest town in America, and ranks as a 
fortress of the first consequence. The citadel, on the highest point of 
Cape Diamond, presents a formidable combination of powerful works, 
from whence a strong wall, supported by small batteries in different di¬ 
rections, runs to the edge of the precipice, with which other batteries 
are connected. The basin, or harbor of Quebec, is very beautiful, 
safe, and spacious, being sufficient to contain 100 sail of the line. The 
depth of water Is 28 fathoms, with a tide rising 17 or 18 feet, and at 
the springs, from 23 to 24 feet. The river St. Lawrence, which is 
about 12 miles wide above the town, here contracts itself suddenly 
to the width of one mile. From this, according to some, is derived 
the name Quebec, which in the Algonquin language, signifies contrac¬ 
tion ; others derive it from the Norman language, “ Quel bee,” “ what 
a point 1” The exports consist of grain, flour, limber, ashes, furs, &c. 
The annual value of the exports and imports amounts to about 
£1,000,000 sterling. In 1821, the number ofvessels entered was 434. 
carrying 102,786 tons; value of imports, $2,185,196. Quebec was 
settled by the French in 1608. In 1759, it was taken by the English 
under general Wolfe, and ceded to thernjn 1763. In 1776, an unsuc¬ 
cessful attempt was made against the city by the Americans, under 
general Montgomery, who was slain, together with about 700 men. 



LOWER CANADA. 


The scenery exhibited to the view from various parts of the Upper 
town, is wonderfully picturesque, beautiful, and sublime. In the vari¬ 
egated expanse that is laid open before the spectator,stupendous rocks, 
immense rivers, trackless forests, and cultivated plains ; mountains, 
lakes, towns, and villages in turn, strike the attention, and the senses 
are almost bewildered in contemplating the vastness of the scenes— 
“ Quebec,” says professor Silliman, for an American city, is certain¬ 
ly a very peculiar town : a military town—most compactly and perma¬ 
nently built—stone its sole material—environed, as to its most impor¬ 
tant parts, by walls and gates—and defended by numerous heavy can¬ 
non-garrisoned by troops, having the arms, the costume, the music, 
the discipline of Europe-fore.gn in language,features, and origin, from 
most of those whom they are sent to defend—founded upon a rock, and 
in its highest parts overlooking a great extent of country-between three 
and four hundred miles from the ocean—in the midst of a great conti¬ 
nent—and yet displaying fleets of foreign-merchantmen, in its fine capa¬ 
cious bay—and shewing all the bustle of a crowded seaport—its streets 
narrow—populous, and winding up and down almost mountainous de¬ 
clivities—situated in the latitude of the finest parts of Europe—exhib¬ 
iting in its environs the beauty of an European capital—and yet in 
winter smarting with the cold of Siberia—governed by people of differ¬ 
ent language and habits from the mass of the population—opposed in 
religion, and yet leaving that population without taxes, and in the full 
enjoyment of every privilege, civil and religious; such are some of the 
important features which strike a stranger in the city of Quebec.” 

Montreal., town, Lower Canada, the second in rank in the prov¬ 
ince, in a district of the same name, 180 miles above Quebec, 200 be¬ 
low lake Ontario, 243 N. Albany, 3 0 N. by W. Boston. Lon. 73.35. 
W. Lat. 45.31. N. Population in 1309, estimated at 16,000 ; in 1821. 
38,767. Houses 2 274. It is situated on south side of the island of 
Montreal, in the St. Lawrence, at the head of ship navigation. The 
harbor, though not large, is always secure for shipping during the 
time the navigation of the river is open, and vessels drawing 15 feet; 
water can lie close to the shore. The general depth of water is from 
three to four and a half fathoms. The greatest inconvenience is the 
rapid of St. Mary, about a mile below, whose current is so powerful, 
that without a strong north-east wind, vessels cannot stem it. 

Montreal is divided into Upper and Lower towns ; one, however, is 
but little elevated above the other. The streets are for the most part, 
laid out in a regular manner ; generally rather narrow ; but the new 
ones are of convenient width. .The houses are mostly built of greyish 
stone, with the roofs covered with sheet-iron or tin ; many of them 
large, handsome, and n a modern style ; seldom of more than two 
stories. The streets have a dull uniformity, and the city has hitherto 
been described by travellers as of an extremely heavy and glporny ap¬ 
pearance, but has of late been much improved, and may now be styled 
tolerably handsome. 

The principal public buildings arc the general hospital, the Hotel 
Dieu, the convent of Notre Dame, the French cathedral, the English 
church, the old monastery of Franciscans converted into barracks, the 
college, the seminary, the court house, the government house, bank. 
&c. Montreal is the grand depot of the greatest company in North 
America, who carry on the fur trade, and whose concern* are of vast 
extent and importance. It is also the channel through which the com- 




28 


BRITISH AMERICA. 


merce is carried on between Canada and the United States. A canal 1 
from Montreal to La Chine was commenced in 1821. The district 
Montreal is divided into 10 counties.t 

Q. What are the religion and manners of this province ? 

A. The Roman Catholic and Episcopal religions generally 
prevail, but the government allows a free toleration. French 
vivacity gives a general stamp to their manners, and the French 
language generally prevails. 

Q. What is the state of education ? 

A. Generally low, especially among the lower class of the 
oeople. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Lower Canada ? 

A. Lower Canada was first discovered by John Cabot, in 
the year 1497. It was explored by Champlain, and other 
French adventurers, who commenced the settlement of Qtie* 
bee, 1607—8. Its population and settlements increased ra¬ 
pidly by the exertions of France, and kept pace with the Bri¬ 
tish colonies, with whom they carried on a succession of cru¬ 
el, savage wars, until the years 1759—60, when Canada was 
taken by the English ; and it tvas confirmed to Great Britain 
by the peace of Paris, 1763. 

Questions .— When and by whom was Canada first discovered ? By 
whom explored ? What town did they settle ? When was it taken, 
and by whom ? When confirmed to them ? 

NEW BRUNSWICK. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of New Brunswick ? 

A. New Brunswick lies south-east of Lower Canada, and is 
a part of British America. (See the Atlas.) 

Q. What are the climate, face of the country and productions ? 

A. The same as in Lower Canada. 

Q. Which is the principal river ? 

A. The St. John’s, which is noted for its navigable waters, 
and the lofty pines upon its banks. 

Q. Which are its principal bays? 

A. The bays of Fundy, Chignecto, Passamaquoddy, and 

haleur. 

Q. What distinguishes the bay of Fundy? 

A. The high tides, which rise 50 or 60 feet. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. St. John’s is the capital : but Frederickstown is the 

f The description of all the capital cities and towns, in this work , are 
taken from Worcester’s Universal Gazetteer, Boston editionfor 1823- 
and by his permission. 











NOVA SCOTIA. 


,29 


seat of government ; both are situated upon the river St, 
John’s. 

Q. What is the population of New Brunswick ? 

A. About 50,000. 

Q. What is the religion and general character of this province 

A. Much the same as in Lower Canada. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of New Brunswick ? 

A'. New Brunswick was a part of Nova Scotia until the 
year 1784, when it became a separate province. 

Questions. —Of what province was New Brunswick a part ? When 
did it become a separate province ? 

NOVA SCOTIA. 

Q. How is Nova Scotia situated ? 

A. Nova Scotia lies south-east of New Brunswick, [see'the 
atlas,] and is about 300 miles long and 150 broad. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. It is generally mild, and often enveloped in fogs. 

Q. What is the face, of the country ? 

A. Generally rough and barren upon the coast, but fertile 
and level in the interior. 

Q. What are its minerals and exports ? 

A. Coal, gypsum, or plaster of Paris, limestone, andiron; 
frsh is one of the most valuable articles of export. 

Q. Which are its chief towns ? 

A. Halifax, Annapolis, Shelburn, Liverpool, and Windsor, 
are the chief towns of Nova Scotia. 

Q. What is the state of learning ? 

A. There is a college at Windsor, and literature is impro¬ 
ving. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Nova Scotia ? 

A. Nova Scotia was discovered by John Cabot, in the year 
1497, and a settlement commenced by a colony of Scotch, un¬ 
der Sir William Alexander, in the year 1622. 

De Mons received of Henry IV. king of France, a patent 
6f all this part of North America, situated between the 40th 
and 46th degrees of north latitude, in the year 1604, aod cal¬ 
led it Le Acadie. The next year he explored the coast very 
generally, from the river St. Lawrence to Cape Cod, and 
commenced settlements at Port Royal, St. John’s and St 
Croix, on the bay of Fundy. In the year 1743, the English 
government sent out a colony and settled the town of HaliflW. 






30 


BRITISH AMERICA 


which excited a jealousy on the part of France, that proved j 
one of the causes of the seven years war, called the old 
French war in America. The French settlements grew and 
Nourished, and Nova Scotia, or Le Acadie, became one of the 
strongholds of France in North America, until the year 1755, 
when it was conquered by the English ; and it was confirmed 
to Great Britain by the peace of Paris, 1763. 

At the close of the Revolution in America, in 1783, Nova 
Scotia became an asylum for those unfortunate emigrants, cal¬ 
led tories, or refugees, who had abandoned their country in 
the time of the war, and taken refuge with the British in New 
York, and elsewhere. 

Questions .—When was Nova Scotia first discovered, and by whom * 
When and by whom was a settlement first made ? Who received a. 
patent of this part of North America ? What was it called ? When 
aaid by whom was Halifax first settled ? For what is Nova Scotia 
famous ? 

ISLANDS. 

Q. Which are the principal Islands belonging to British America * 

A. Newfoundland, St. John’s and Cape Breton. 

Q. How are they situated ? 

A. At the entrance of the gulfof St. Lawrence. [Seethe 
atlas, J 


Q, What is the extent and population o ? JS'evcfoundiand. 

A. Newfoundland is about 380 miles long and 160 broad 
and contains an average population of about 30,000. 

Q,. What are the face of the country and climate ? 

A. The face of the country is rocky and barren ; the cli¬ 
mate is severely cold in winter, and extremely hot and foggy 
in summer. 

Q.. What is the use of this island to Great Britain ? 

A- Its harbors afford shelter and protection to their fishing 
vessels, and its shores accomodate them in curing their fish 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Placentia, Bonavista, and St. John’s. 

(*. Which are the principal fishing banks ? 

A. Great bank, Green bank, Whale bank, and St. Peter s 
bank. 

Q. What is the value of this fishery annually ? 

A. It is generally estimated at about 2,000,000 dollars 

Q. What number of vessels and men are now employed in. this 
er 7< by England and the United States ? 

A About 300Qea.il, and 100,000 men. 








ISLANDS, 


31 


Q, What are the situation and extent of 67. John's } 

A. It lies near the coast of New-Bi unswick : is about 10B* 
miles long, and an average of 20 broad. 

Q. What are its soil, productions, population, and chief towns ? 

A. Its soil and productions are much the same as Netf. 
Brunswick ; its population is about 6000, and its chief town 
19 Charlotte. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Cape Breton ? 

A. It lies at the entrance of the gulf of St. Lawrence, iy 
109 miles long, and upon an average about 50 broad. [See 
the atlas.] 

Q. How is it separated from Nova Scotia? 

A. By the gut of Canso,'which is the common passage for 
ships into the gulf of St. Lawrence. 

Q. What are the lace of the country, climate, &c . ? 

A. The face of the country is low, and abounds with lakes 
and swamps ; and the climate is much like Newfoundland anti 
Nova Scotia, infested with fogs. 

Q. What are its population and chief towns ? 

A. Its population is about 4000, and its chief towns are 
Sidney and Louisburg. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Newfoundland ? 

A. Newfoundland was discovered by John Cabot, in the 
year 1497. It was visited by his son Sebastian Cabot, in 
1502 ; also by James Quartier, a Frenchman, who wintered 
in Canada, 1534; again by Quartier, 1540; and the grand 
cod fishery commenced in 1542, under the patronage of Fran¬ 
cis I. king of France. 

Great Britain partially dispossessed the French, in the year 
1713, by the peace of Utretcht ; again more generally, by 
the peace of Paris, 1763 ; but finally, by the peace of Paris, 
1783. 

Q. What is the history of St. John’s ? 

A. See the history of Cape Breton. 

Q. What is the history of Cape Breton : 

A. Cape Breton was discovered by John Cabot on Fiis firs?, 
voyage, 1497. It was settled by the French in 1713, who 
built the city of Louisburg, upon the south-east part of the 
island, and inclosed it with a wall, and fortified it at great,ex 
pense, as a key to Canada, and their fishery. 

Louisburg was taken by the New-England troops under 
the roffimami-of general Pepperel, in 1745. It was restored 


BRITISH AMERICA. 


Sp 

tQ France at the peace of Aix-la-Chappelle, in 1748 : was 
taken by the English in 1758, and confirmed to Great Britain 
by the peace of Paris, 1763. 

Questions. —When and by whom was Newfoundland first discov¬ 
ered ? When did the grand cod fishery first commence ? When was 
Cape Breton first discovered ? When and by whom was Louisburg 
settled? By whom was it taken in 1745 ? When was it taken by 
and confirmed to the English ? 

NEW-BRITAIN, HUDSON’S BAY, &c. 

Q. What are the situation and character of New-Britain ? 

A. New-Britain is situated upon the north-eastern extremi¬ 
ty of North America, including Labrador ; and is separated 
from Greenland by Davis’ straits. 

Q. What are the "face of the country and climate ? 

A. The eastern shore is dreary, rocky and barren ; the 
interior is mountainous, and intersected by numerous small 
lakes and streams, that abound with fish and wild fowl ; but 
the climate is excessively cold and severe. The Esqui¬ 
maux Indians are common to both. 

Q. What is peculiar to their quadrupeds ? 

A. They all turn white ns snow in winter. 

Q. Which are the most considerable fur establishments r 

A. Albany fort, Moose fort, York fort, Churchill fort, 
j^See the atlas.] 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of New-Britain ? 

A. New-Britain was discovered by Frobisher, in the year 
V585, and Hudson’s bay, by captain Henry Hudson, 1610. 
In 1670, a company was chartered by the British govern¬ 
ment, styled the Hudson Bay company, who erected forts 
and trading houses on the principal rivers, which greatly fa¬ 
cilitated and improved the commercial interest of this co-untrv. 
and encouraged and protected a fur trade with the natives 
Mackenzie explored the interior of British America, to the 
Frozen ocean on the north, and the Pacific ocean on the west, 
in the years 1789 and 1793. At the mouth of the river to 
which he gave his own name, he discovered the Frozen 
ocean ; [seethe atlas.] And at or near Queen Charlotte’* 
Sound, (Pacific ocean,) latitude 52 deg. 30 min. north, he in¬ 
scribed his name upon a flat rock with Vermillion. He per 
formed his tour in one canoe, from lake Chippewvan. or the 





UNITED STATES. 33 

Jake of the Hills, throughout this vast interior, with very few 
portages. 

Questions. —When and by whom was New-Britain disoovercd * 
Wliat bay was discovered by captain Hudson ? Who first explored 
the interior of British Amerioa ? How far did he explore it ? Where 
did he first discover the Frozen ocean? Where the Pacific ocean 
How did he perform his tour ? 


UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 


Q. What are the situation And extent of United America ? 

A. United America lies between the 25ih, 42d, 45th, 49tlu 
and 54th degrees of north latitude, and 69th and 125th de¬ 
grees of west longitude. 

Q. How is it bounded ? 

A. This is best explained on the map. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The face of the country is beautifully variegated with 
the most extensive ranges of mountains, the longest and no¬ 
blest rivers, the largest and most numerous lakes, the richest 
and most fertile basins, together with the most grand natural 
scenes of any other countiy in the world. 

CLIMATES OF THE U. STATES AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. 

Q. What is the climate of the United States ? 

A. It embraces all the climates between the cold region* 
on the north and the tropical regions on the south. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? ' 

A. The soil is various, but remarkably good ;• and the pro- 
j ductions include all the variety that is common to all the cli¬ 
mates in the world. 

Q. How may the climates and agricultural products of the Lmted 
States be divided ? 

A. Into four regions, viz. the Northern, Middle, Southern, 
and Tropical. 

Q. Which is the northern region, and what are its agricultural pro-. 

1 ducts ? 

A. The northern region of the United States includes the 
states of Maine, New-Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, 
Connecticut, Rhode-Island, and the state of New-York. 
Grazing or pasturage is one of the most important branches- 
of agriculture in this region. Wheat was formerly an impor¬ 
tant article among the products of New-England, when the. 
country was new, but it is little attended to since the sod hus 





UNITED STATES. 


M 

been reduced by tillage : rye has become a substitute for 
wheat, most generally ; this and Indian corn, oats, barley, and 
potatoes, have become the staple vegetable products in New- 
England; orchards flourish throughout, and cider is their 
common drink ; cider brandy is a very considerable article of 
export ; peaches flourish in the southern part. Wheat con¬ 
tinues to be one ot the staples of New-York ; the others are 

similar to those of New-England. 

Q. Which is the middle region, and what are its productions ? 

A. New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and | 
Virginia, east of the Allegany ; Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Mis- I 
souri, and Kentucky, west ot the mountains. Wheat is among ( 
the staples of this region, and in many parts the principal ; j 
and throughout is the best in the United States, and one ot j 
their most valuable exports, either in grain or flour. In the 
Atlantic states of this region orchards flourish well, and the 
Newark cider of New-Jersey is the best in the world. In the 
western section, cider is not so common, and whiskey is used 
as a general.substitute. Peaches flourish on both sides of the 
mountain, and are often used for the distillation of peach 
brandy. The grape begins to be cultivated for wine on both 
sides of the mountain, and vine-yards have been planted at or 
near Philadelphia, and at Vevay, on the Ohio. Horses, cat¬ 
tle, and swine, are extensively raised on the grazing farms hi j 
this region, particularly in the western section, and are an im- 1 
portant article of commerce. 

Q. Which is the southern region, and what are its productions ? 

A. The southern section of Virginia, the states of North 
• and South Carolina, and Tennessee, and the northern sections 
of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, with the Territory ot 
Arkansaw, include the southern region. Cotton, rice, indigo, 
and maize, or Indian corn, are the staples of this region ; to¬ 
bacco, oats, barley, and hemp, will flourish, but the Irish po- 
tatoe cannot be cultivated to advantage. Peaches, figs, and 
pomegranates, flourish well ; and oranges and lemons in the 
southern parts ; but apples, pears, plums, &c. will not flour¬ 
ish. 

Q. Which is the fourth or tropical region, and what are its produc- | 
lions ? 

A. The southern sections of Georgia, Alabama, Mississipj } 
pi, with Louisiana and Florida, compose the tropical region: 
Sugar, cotton, indigo, oranges, lemons, figs, &c. Maize, 01 , 
Indian corn yields most luxuriantly, and in East Florida pro | 
duces two crops in a year. Coffee and tea, will, it is mos,( 
probable, both flourish in this region. 




UNITED STATES, 


MINES AND MINERALS. 

Q. What arc the minerals of the United States f 

A. Gold, silver, copper, iron, lead and cobalt. 

Q. Which of the precious stones are found in the United States . 

A. The emerald, in its purity, has not been discovered, hut; 
the beryl, which is an inferior species, is often found. 

Q. W hich of ihc most valuable building stones are found in the I 7n\- 
ted States ? 

A. Marble, both white and variegated, is found extensive!\ 
in the United States ; also quarries of slate and sandstone. 

Q. What inflammable minerals are found in the United States ? . 

A. Bituminous coal, and anthracite, or stone coal, peat, 
sulphur, and petroleum. 


SALINES. 

Q. Are salt springs common to. the United States ? 

A. The United States abound with saltsprings in theinteri 
i or, west of the Allegany, and in Louisiana ; and an extensive 

I plain has been discovered among the southern branches of the 
> Missouri river, covered or incrusted with salt. 

Q. What other salts are found in the United States ? 

[j A. Epsom salts are found in a cave in Illinois, and nitre is 
r found in numerous caves in Kentucky and Tennessee. 

. MINERAL SPRINGS* 

Q. Ar* mineral springs foun in the United States ?- 
A. They are numerous, and of various qualities, as ma}” be 
seen under the several 'states. 

POST-ROADS AND POST-OFFICES. 

, Q. Wliat general improvements have b en made in the roads of tin 
15 United States ? 

A. The greatest, for the time, of any other nation. Turn- 
°‘ pike roads have become general throughout the country, and 

II bridges have multiplied and improved in connection with the 
0(1 roads. 

he I Q. Which are th ■ m st important roads in th 1 United States? 

ird A. The first is the great post-road that traverses the Atlan¬ 

tic states, from Maine to Florida, which is 1800 miles in ex 
1C tent. The next.in importance are the great western turn¬ 
pike from Albany to Buffalo, from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, 

' and the great national or Cumberland road from Washington 

III to Wheeling, on the Ohio : also Jackson’s road from.Nash- 
01 ville, in Tennessee, to lake Pontchartrain, or New-Orleans. 

°* Q. What have been the general progressive improvements inroads ? 
A In 1790, the extent of post-roads was estimated at 1876 









36 


UNITED STATES. 


miles ; in 1818 it was estimated at nearly 5200 miles, and in 
J824 the mail was transported 2000 miles per day, which 
will raise the amount of post-roads to 130 or 140,000 miles. 

Q. What is the number of Post-Offices in the United States ? 

A. More than 5000. 

Q. How is this establishment conducted ? 

A. By a postmaster-general, who resides at Washington, 
and is considered one of the heads of departments in the gov¬ 
ernment. 

NATIONAL POWER, GOVERNMENT, &C. 

Q. What is the national power of the United States ? 

A. The national power of the U. States consists, 1st, In 
their free government : 2d, In their free and intelligent char¬ 
acter, or free system of education : 3d, In their national re¬ 
sources : 4th, In their well organized militia and naval 
strength : And lastly, in the local situation of their country. 

Q. What is the government of the United States ? 

A. A confederate republican system, uniting all the States I 
under one general Congress, which consists of a President, 
Vice President, a Senate and House of Representatives. The 
President and Vice President are chosen by electors chosen 
by the people, once in four years. The Senate consists of 
two Senators from each State, chosen by the legislature for 
six years ; the Vice President of the United States is, ex-offi¬ 
cio, president of the Senate. The House of Representatives 
are chosen by the people, once in two years, and they ap¬ 
point their own Speaker, form their own rules and regula 
tions, and keep a journal of their proceedings. They have 
the sole power of impeaching all public officers, and the Sen¬ 
ate the sole power of trying such impeachments. Whatever J 
regards the legislative department is vested in the Congress 
of the United States. The powers of Congress are express 
ty defined by the constitution. 

The President of the U. States is, ex-officio, commander-in 
chief of the army and navy, and militia of the U. States, when 
in actual service. He grants reprieves and pardons ; nomin 
ates, and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints 
ambassadors, judges, and the several heads of departments, 
and other officers, and forms treaties, provide two-thirds of 
the Senate concur. 

The Judiciary of the United States consists of one Supreme 
Court, and such Circuit and District Courts, as Congress may , 
ordain ; and the Judges are appointed to officiate during their ii 




UNITED STATES. 3- 

good behaviour, and their salaries are permanent during theii 
continuance in office. The jurisdiction of these courts i< 
particularly defined by the constitution. 

Q. What is their military force ? 

A . United America keeps no standing army in time ofpeace* 
except to garrison her military posts ; she depends upon he^ 
militia. r 

Q. What is the naval force *f United America ! 

A. Eleven ships of the line, sixteen frigates, and tvrenfv 
sloops of war, brigs, &c. 

COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 

Q. Wbat is the commerce of the United States ? 

A. Their imports in 1822, amounted to 83,000,000 of dob 
tars, and their exports to 72,000,000 ; balance against then. 
S1,000,000 of dollars. 

Q. What is the ton »age of the United States? 

A. About 1,400,000 tons. 

Q. What are the manufactures ? 

A. Not accurately known ; but respectable and increasrti& 
Q. What is the coinage of their mint annually? 

A. From one to four million of dollars. 

REVENUE AND NATIONAL DEBT. 

Q. What is the annual revenue of the United States ? 

A. From 12 to 18 or 20 million of dollars. 

Q. What is the national debt ? 

A. About 70 or 80 million of dollars. 

CHIEF CITIES AND POPULATION. 

Q. Which are the principal cities ? 

A. Washington, in the District of Columbia, is the seat 0 ! 
government, which, with the others, will be considered in 
their several places. 

Q. What is the population of the United States ? 

A. By the census of 1820, it amounted to 9,600,00$. 

Q. How often does their population double ? 

A. Once in about twenty-five years. 

Q. What will it amount to, at that ratio, at the comw.cnicdm4fiio 
the next century ? 

A. About 92,000,000. 

NATIONAL CHARACTER AN» EDUCATION. 

What is the national character of the United States ? 

A. More elevated and refined than that of any other iatifJ 
the earth. 


4 



38 


UNITED STATES. 


Q. What is the immediate cause of this? 

A. The general enjoyment of civil, religious, and literary 
freedom, which so universally prevail. 

Q. What is the state of education in the United States ? 

A* The state of education is the most free and respectable 
in the world. The first settlers of New-England commenced 
a system of education in their 'primary schools, which has ex¬ 
tended generally throughout the Union, and formed a perma¬ 
nent basis of education that is.equally enjoyed by all classes 
of the community. This system of education may well be 
denominated the Bulwark of National Liberty , as well as of 
National Character . 

RELIGION AND LITERATURE. 

Q. What is the religion of United America ? 

A. A free toleration is sanctioned by the constitution, anil 
the Christian religion prevails throughout, under all its vari¬ 
ous denominations. 

Q, What is the literature of the United States ? 

A. Highly respectable ; there are in the Union about 30 
colleges, some of which are of the first respectability ; and 
more than 100 academies ; but they have no national semina¬ 
ry, excepting their Military School at YVest Point. A nation¬ 
al university is contemplated by Congress. 


HISTORY. 

Q. What is the general summary of the history of the United 
States?! 

A. At the close of the old French and Indian war, in 1763 
Great Britain began to oppress her North American colonies 
by a system of taxation, by the way of duties on commerce, 
stamps, &c. which led to a general resistance ; and the colo 
nies called a general Congress, which convened at Philadel¬ 
phia, in September, 1774. 

In April, 1775, hostilities commenced in America, and the 
first blood was spilt at Lexington, in Massachusetts. On the 
10th of May. the second congress convened at Philadelphia • 
and An the morning of the same day, colonel Allen, with a'par- 
ty ol Green mountain boys, took tort Ticonderoga, without 
firing a gun. On the same day, colonel Warder surprised and 
took Crown Point. * 


t The history of the United States has been carried forward wit 
tincf Amenca ’ down t0 the y Q1T 1774 ’ fr°tn that time it became elk 



HISTORY. 


39 


On the loth of June, colonel George Washington was unan¬ 
imously chosen by-congress, captain-general and commander- 
in-chief of the American armies ; early in July he joined the 
army at Cambridge, near Boston. 

On the 17th of June was fought the famous battle of Bunker 
Hill, near Charlestown, (Mass.) between a detachment of the 
Americans, and the flower of the British army ; the Americans 
distinguished themselves by their valor, and the British suf¬ 
fered most severely. 

On the 1st of September, general Washington detached 
colonel Arnold, with 1100 men, by the way of Kennebeck 
river, to join general Montgomery before Quebec. General 
Montgomery entered Canada, by the way of lake Champlain, 
in the month of September, On the 2d of November he took 
fort St. John’s ; on the 1 1th, he entered Montreal in triumph, 
and on the 5th of December he joined colonel Arnold before 
Quebec. On the 31st. of December, general Montgomery 
attempted to storm Quebec, and failed, with the loss of his 
life. 

On the 1st of January, 1776, the British burnt Norfolk, in 
Virginia. 

On the 17th of March, Boston was evacuated by the British 
general Howe, and he retired with his fleet rug armament to 
New-York. The navy of the United States, at this time, con¬ 
sisted of two ships, two brigs, and a sloop, carrying a force of 
about 200 men, under the command of commodore Ezekiel 
Hopkins. 

On the 16th of April, the British (Cork) fleet and aima- 
ment arrived in Cape Fear river, under the command of sir 
Peter Parker, lord Cornwallis, and others, where they were 
joined by sir Henry Clinton from New-York ; on the first of 
June, this armament arrived before Charleston, S. ; on 
the 26th they brought their ships to bear upon the town, and 
commenced a terrible assault, but the attack was repelled with 


Questions. —When and where did the Americans convene their first 
congress ? 

When and where did the revolutionary war commence? 

When and by whom were Ticonderoga *ind Crown Point taken ? * 

Who 'as appointed commander-in-chief of the American armies and 
wh en ? 

When was fought the memorable battle of Bunker Hill ? 

What officers and troops were sent into Canada, and what was the in¬ 
sult ? 

When was Boston evacuated by the British ? 

What was the naval force of America at this time ? 



10 


UNITED STATES 


tirmness, and the enemy retired with great loss and disgrace, 
and raised the siege. 

In May, the British were reinforced at Quebec, from Eng 
land, and the Americans, under the command of general Lin¬ 
coln, retreated out of Canada, and retired to Crown Point and 
Ticonderoga. 

On the 4th of July, congress declared the United Colonies 
free and independent states. 

On the 12th of July, lord Howe arrived at New York from 
England, with a powerful fleet and armament, and joined his 
brother general Howe. 

On tb^ 27th of August was fought the battle of Long-Island, 
in which the enemy were victorious, and the next night gen¬ 
eral Washington drew off his army to New York, and retired 
to White Plains. General Howe pursued, and on the 29th of 
October, commenced an attack upon general Washington, that 
caused him to retire to the high grounds, at North-Castle. On 
the 16th of November, general Howe took fort Washington, 
and put the garrison to the sword. On the 22d, general 
Washington retired to Newark in New-Jersey ; general Howe 
pursued. On the 13th of December, general Lee was taken 
by the British, at the head of the American rearguard ; gen¬ 
eral Washington could muster only 2200 men at this time. 
On the night of the 25th, general Washington, having been re¬ 
inforced, surprised the British in their camp at Trento*, and 
gained a signal victory. General Howe retreated, and gener¬ 
al Washington pursued. General Howe retired to New- 
York. 

In the spring of 1777, general Burgoyne succeeded general 
Carlton in Canada, and at the head of 10,000 men, commenc¬ 
ed operations against the state of New York. On the 2d of 


What armaments invaded Charleston in 1776, and what was the 
result ? 

When did the Americans retreat out of Canada, and under whose 
command ? 

When did congress declare the United States independent of Great 
Britain ? 

When was fought the battle pf Long-Island, and with what success r 

When the battle of White Plains ? 

When was fort Washington taken by the British, and in what manner 

When and how did general Washington commence his retreat through 
the Jersies ? 

When and with whatsuccess was fought the battle of Trenton ? 

When and with what force did general Burgoyne invade the state of 
New-York ? 



HISTORY. 


41 


July, he took Ticonderoga, and on the first of August, he had 
penetrated to Saratoga, only 3G miles from Albany. 

At the same time that general Burgoyne took Ticonderoga, 
general Howe embarked his army at New York, and sailed 
lor Philadelphia ; landed his army at the head of the Chesa¬ 
peake bay ; fought the battle of Brandywine, September 1ltli, 
and entered the city of Philadelphia the 26th. In the action 
of Brandywine, the marquis La Fayette distinguished himself 
in the cause of liberty, and was wounded in the leg. 

On the 16th of August, general Stark fought and gained the 
memorable battle ot Bennington. On the 16th of October, 
general Washington fought the battle of Germantown, near 
Philadelphia. On the 7th, general Gates gained the memora¬ 
ble battle of Saratoga, and general Burgoyne attempted to ef¬ 
fect his retreat but failed. On the 17th, general Burgoyne 
surrendered tile whole British army, under his command, to 
general Gates. 

On the 12th of July, congress adopted a general system 
of confederation for the Union, which was approved by all the 
states, and became the palladium of their liberties down to 
March, 1789, when the new constitution commenced its oper 
at ion. 

On the 1st of December, a ship arrived from France, laden 
with ordnance, arms, and military stores, for the American 
army. 

On the 16th. a treaty of amity, between Franet and the 
United States, was signed at Paris. 

On the 13th of April, 1778, the Toulon fleet of 12 ships of 
the line, and four frigates, sailed from France for America, 
bearing the French minister to the United States. In May an¬ 
other ship arrived in America from France, laden with mili¬ 
tary stores and dry goods, for the army. 

On the 1 »th of May, sir Henry Clinton arrived at Philadel¬ 
phia to succeed general Howe, in the command of the British 
army. On the 18th of June, sir Henry evacuated Philadel¬ 
phia, and retired towards New York ; general Washington 
pursued ; and on the morning 6f the 28th, he came up with 

What expedition wa« undertaken from New York by general Hew# at 
the same time, and what were the issue of both ? 

When did congress form and adopt the articles of confederation ? 
When did France enter into alliance with the United States ? 

When did the Toulon fleet sail for and arrive in America ? 

When, and under whose command did the British evacuat# Pfiilideh 
phia ? 


4* 



\% 


UNITED states. 


the British aitn 3 r s and fought the memorable battle of Mori* 
mouth. The following night sir Henry re-commenced his 
retreat, and retired by forced marches to New' York, where he 
was closely invested by general Washington. 

On the 8th of July, the Toulon fleet arrived within the 
capes of the Delaware ; sailed soon after for Newport, R. I. ; 
fought the English off*that port, and repaired to Boston, and 
from thence to the West-Indies. 

On the 27th of July, a naval action was fought between the 
French admiral, the count De Orviliiers, and the British ad¬ 
miral Keppel, off the coast of Europe ; both claimed the vic^ 
lory. 

On the 4th of December, general Lincoln took the com¬ 
mand in Georgia, and that state became a theatre of distress¬ 
ing war. 

On the 6th of January, 1776, Savannah, the capital of 
Georgia, was taken by the British. About the same time the 
marquis La Fayette, by permission from congress, retired t* 
France, on a visit. 

Tn May, sir Henry Clinton took the fortress of Stony Point, 
near New-York, and commenced a general system of preda¬ 
tory war, particularly in Connecticut and Virginia ; distress¬ 
ing ravages ensued. On the morning of the 16th of July, 
general Wayne re-took the fortress of Stony Point, with 
screwed bayonets; without firing a gun. 

Near tbe,close. of July, commodore John Paul Jones, with 
three ships, a brig and a cutter, on a cruise off the coast of 
Scotland, fell in \yith a British armed force, and after a most 
desperate action, c iptured two ships, and carried them ini® 
the Texel, (Holland.) 

On the 4th of October, general Lincoln, with the assist¬ 
ance of a Frehch fleet add armament, under the command of 
count De Estaing, commenced an assault fipon the town of 
Savannah, which failed,. and the allies suffered severely. 
Count De Estaing withdrew to the West-Indies. 

When was fought the battle of Monmouth ? 

When was the naval action fought off Rhode Island ? 

When was fought the great naval action off the coast of Europe : 

When was Savannah, in Georgia, taken by the British ? 

Whsn did the British take Stony Point, and commence a general sve-> 
tem of predatory war in Virginia and Connecticut ? 

When did general Wayne retake Stony Point, and how ? 

When and where, and with what success, did commodore J. P. Jone'fc 
fight a memorable naval action ? 

When did general Lincoln, with the aid of the French fleet, attempt 
the capture of Savannah, and with what success ? 





HISTORY. 


4$ 

On tbe 26th of December, sir Henry Clinton embarked at 
Mew-York, with an armament destined 'against Charleston-, 
(S. C.) On the 11th of February, 178U, sir Hemy Cliutan 
landed liis troops before Charleston. On the 12ik of May. 1 
Charleston, after a brave and desperate resistance, fell intb 
the hands of the British. Sir Henry Jeft the command (jo- 
lord Cornwallis, and embarked for New-Ycrk. About this 
time the marquis La Fayette returned from France, and an¬ 
nounced that -a strong naval armament would soon follow him. 
On the 10th o/ duly, tins armament arrived at Newport* 

In the month of September, a conference was proposed by 
general Washington, to the French commanders at Newport, 
and they met at Hartford, in Connecticut. General Washing¬ 
ton was accompanied by the young marquis La Fayette, and 
general Knox. The avowed object of conference was, Jo 
concert measures for an attack upon the city of New-York. 

In the midst of this conference, an express arrived from the 
fortress at West Point, on the Hudson, announcing the traitor¬ 
ous designs of general Arnold? The council was closer!—the 
! parties retired to tlieir yosts, and general Washington flew to 
the relief of West Point. On ins arrival, he found the cannon 
dismounted, and tlje fortress dismantled : Arnold had fled, and 
i taken refuge on board a British sloop-of-war, posted for the 
; occasion. 

While his excellency was employed in repairing the fox- 
| tress, a prisoner was announced, who proved to be the uu- 
j fortunate major Andre, who h id volunteered his services to 
} sir Henry Clinton, to negotiate this treacherous operation 
I with general Arnold. His character was that of a spy, his 
fate was death ! The righteous sacrifice greatly interested 
i the feelings, and touched the sympathy of every American 
; breast. 

Lord Cornwallis marched into the country, and defeated 
general Gates, at the battle of Camden, August 16th, 1780. 
i -General Greene succeeded general Gates, in the southern de¬ 
partment, soon after, and general Morgan defeated colonel 
Tarlton, at the memorable battle of Covvpens, January, 1781. 
General Greene fou Jit lord Cornwallis at the battle ofGuil- 

| When did the British commence operations against Charleston, and 
with what success ? 

Who succeeded m the Biitish command ? 

When did the French armament arrive at Newport? 

What, were the general operations of the southern war ? 






4'4 


UNITED STATES. 


lord, March 1 Gth. Sir Henry Clinton sent a strong force in¬ 
to. Virginia to support lord Cornwallis, arid general Greene 
made a retrograde movement into South Carolina, and fought 
lord Rawdorv, near Camden. In April, he advanced to Nine- 
tv-Six, and there fought another memorable battle. 

General Washington detached the marquis La Fayette to 
oppose lord Cornwallis in Virginia, early in April, 1781, where 
he acquitted himself in a most masterly manner. In May, 
general Washington and suite, met the French officers from 
Newport, at Wethersfield, to concert measures for future op¬ 
erations. The French troops at Newport, being joined by a 
reinforcement, then arrived at Boston, marched down to 
White Plains soon after, and joined general Washington, to act j 
against New-Yorl;. At tins eventful moment cou-nt De Grasse j 
announced by letter to general A t ashington, his arrival with 
his fl.?et in the Cjles ipeake bay.- On the 5th of September, j 
he defeated admiral.Graves’, who retired to New York to re- j 
iii, andVbuut De Grasse returned-into the bay, where he was -| 
joined by the fleet from Newport, .the next day-. The mar- j 
quis La Fayette pressed lord Cornwallis so closely as to ob¬ 
lige him to retire to York-Town. . General Washington, with 
tlie French troops, by forced marches, joined the marquis on 
the 27th of September. The French fleet moved up the 
hay, and his lordship was completely invested in York-Town. 
On the 10th of October, he surrendered to the allied arms 
of America and France, with his whole army, prisoners of 
war. 

The arm of Britain was now broken in America. The : 
marquis La Fayette again returned to France. Negotiations J 
for a general peace commenced immediately in Paris, and the 
preliminaries were signed on the 20th of January, 1783. On 
the 24th of March, the - marquis La Fayette announced the 
tidings to general Washington, by letter, dated Paris, Febru¬ 
ary 5th. On the 10th of April, the treaty was published in 

Who took the command in Virginia against lord Cornwallis, and with 
what success} 

When did the French troops at Newport join general Washington at 
White Plains ? 

What naval action was fought at the mouth of Chesapeake bay at this) 
time, and what was the result ? 

What were the movements of the allied armies, and what was IheYc - 
suit, and when ? 

When and where were the preliminaries of peace signed ? 

By whom was this even! announced to general Washington? 

When was the treaty published in America ? 









HISTORY 


45 


America, and on the 19th, general Washington announced it 
to the army, in general orders. This day completed the 8th 
year of the war. 

On the 26lh of .November, 1783, the British evacuated 

I New-York. 

On the 20th of December, general Washington resigned 
his commission as commander-in-chief of the American ar¬ 
mies. 

On tlie 2d of May, 1787, a convention of delegates from all 
the states, assembled at Philadelphia, to revise the confeder- 
i ation, and chose George Washington, president. They fram¬ 
ed the federal constitution ; the states adopted it, and chose 
George Washington, president, and John Adams, vice-presi¬ 
dent ; and the constitution went into operation, on the 4th of 
March, 1789. 

In 1790, the United States became involved in a destruc¬ 
tive Indian war with the Miamies, and other powerful tribes, 
and general Harmer was defeated, with the loss of nearly all 
his army. 

In 1791, general St. .Clair succeeded general Harmer to 
prosecute the war, and was defeated by the Indians, with u 
loss as severe as that of general Harmer. General Wayne 
was appointed to succeed general St. Clair. * In 1794, general 
Wayne defeated the Indians at the rapids of the Maumee, 
August 16th, which produced the treaty of Greenville, in 
1795, and settled a lasting peace with the north-western In- 
i (bans. 

On the 19th of November, 1794, Mr. Jav negotiated a 
treaty of amity, commerce and navigation, with Great Britair, 
The president ratified this treaty on the 12th of August, 1795, 

' and the western posts were delivered to the Americans, 
which confirmed the Indian peace* 

On the 5th of September, 1795, a treaty of amity was con¬ 
cluded with the Dey of Algiers On the 20th of October, a 
treaty of amity was concluded with Spam. The president 
next attempted to liberate his beloved friend, the marquis La 

Of how long continuance was the revolutionary war ? 

When did the British evacuate New York ? 

When did general Washington resign his commission ? 

When and where was the federal constitution framed ? 

Who was the first president of the United States ? 

With whom were the United States involved in war in . 

When was peace restored ? 

What treaty was negotiated by Mr. Jay in* 1794 ? 

What other treaties wero concluded the next year l 






UNITED STATES. 


46 

Fayette, from the prison of Qlmutz, by a negotiation with the 
king of England,-and the emperor of Germany, but failed, j 
Tie next announced his intention to retire from office*, and in : 
December, 1796, Mr. Adams was elected president, and Mr. 
Jefferson vice-president ; their terms commenced March 4th, 
i 797. ‘ •“ j 

In 1797, collisions arose, between the United States and 1 
France, and a war ensued : in 179T, peace wys restored. 

Jn 1601, Mr. Jefferson succeeded .Mr. Adams in-thfe presi- j 
dency. Mr. Burr vvds •elected vice-president. 

In 1805-j collisions arose betvv-een the United States, and ' 
France, jmd England. 

In March, 1809, Mr. -Madisonsucceeded Mr Jefferson in 
the presidency. Mr. CLintort was elected vice-president. 

In 1812, congress declared war against England. The 
general operations of this war were; directed against Canada, 
hut without success, though the American troops fnugjit with 
great bravery in several close-actions. 

In August, 1814, a British squadron entered the Potomac, 
proceeded up to the city of Washington, landed a body of 
British troops, took the bity, burnt the capitol, president’s 
house, &c. and retired,’and plundered Alexandria; from 
thence they proceeded to Baltimore, and after an unsuccess- ; 
ful attack, were compelled to retire. 

The naval operations on the ocean were peculiarly glori¬ 
ous to the American navy, in the capture of several ships of 
war ; and on lake Erie, in the capture of the whole British 
squadron, by commodore Perry, on the 10th of September, 
1813 ; also, iu the capture of the British fleet on lake Cham¬ 
plain, by commodore Macdonough, in an assault upon the 
town of Plattsburgh, in connection with a strong land force, 
on the 11th of September, J814; the land force was obliged 


Who did the president of IhefTJhited States attempt to deliver, from 
tlie prison of Qlmutz, andby vvliat means ? 

When did president Washington retire from office, and who was lib? 
successor? 

Who succeeded Mr. Adams in the presidency ? 

Who succeeded Mr. Jefferson in the presidency ? 

When did the United States declare war against England ? 

Where were the general operations of this war directed? 

What were the proceedings of the British troops that entered the Po¬ 
tomac, in August, 18!4? 

Were the naval opeiations of this war on the ocean, glorious to (In* 
American navy ? 

Whn t naval actions were fought on the lakes.? 






HISTORY. 


‘47 


to retire in great disorder. The names of the American na 
val heroes will stand recorded in the temple of immortal 
Tame. 

In December, 1814, Louisiana was irivad.ed by a British ar¬ 
mament of sixty sail, besides transports and barges, under 
the command of sir Edward Packenham, with 12,000 troops. 

General Andrew Jackson, upon the first notice .of the ap¬ 
pearance of the enemy, hastened with his brave companions 
in arms, to the defence of New Orleans. On the 2u of Dec. 
he arrived and commenced his. preparations to receiverthe en¬ 
emy. On the .12th, the . British armament appeared in the 
bay of St. Louis j on the 14th, they captured and destroyed 
the American gunboats. On.tb'e 22d, sir Edward Packenham 
landed at the head of a part of his army. On the 28th, gen¬ 
eral Jackson assembled his wh«lc force, 6000, and marched 
down.to meet the enemy* but did not reach them before dark : 
after reconnoitering, he commenced an attack, which sur¬ 
prised the British, arid.threw them into disorder ; they soon 
rallied to the .combat, and a sharp rencounter ensued. A 
thick fog arose, which rendered it necessary to withdraw the 
troops ; general Jackson retired up the river to his fortified 
station ; his lines Extended about 1000 yards in front, defend¬ 
ed by 12 pieces of artillery, and about GOOO men ; supported 
by a battery of 15 guns on the; opposite side of the river. 
General Jackson had posted his men ten deep in his lines, un¬ 
der the following orders, viz. 1st, to receive the enemy at his 
approach w ith a discharge of grape shot : 2d, to reserve the 
fire of the mus,ketry until special orders, and then for the 
| front rank only to fire, and pass their rifles to the rear to be 
loaded ; and the centre and rear ranks to pass their rifles to 
the front in quick succession, and the front to keep up as 
quick a fire ; the rear ranks only were to load. 

At the dawn of day on the.8th of January, the British army, 
t 12,000 strong, ad vanced to the,combat, until they approached 
the lines. General Jackson opened-a destructive fire from 
his artillery, which mowed down their ranks ; but they*were 
successively closed, ns the enemy advanced. When he ap¬ 
proached within musket shot,.the whole lines vom-fred forth 
one incessant sheet of flame, from the deadly rifle, that strew¬ 
ed the plain with indiscriminate slaughter, and threatened the 
whole columns with universal ruirj. The P.fvemy broke and 

When and by what amount of force was Louisiana invaded ? 

! Who commanded the American troop's, and what Was their numbtr? 








UNITED STATES. 


fled in confusion, except a small body, that bravely advanced 
to the lines ; but they all fell to a man. Stung with indigna 
lion at the disgrace, the British officers rallied their troops, 
and advanced again to the charge ; again they were over- 
whelmned with the fire of the deadly rifle, and fled in disorder, 
leaving their commander, with several other generals, and 
more than 2000 men, killed and wounded, upon the field. 
The loss of general Jackson in killed and wounded, did not 
exceed 20 men. A defence so well concerted, and se suc¬ 
cessfully executed, with such disproportionate numbers : a 
defeat so decisive and so bloody, with such disproportionate 
losses, is not to be found recorded on the whole page of histo¬ 
ry ; and well deserves the appellation of Jackson's victory. 

The British who survived retired on board their fleet, and 
proceeded to attack fort Bowyer, at the head of Mobile bay, 
which they carried ; but it was restored to the Americans by 
the treaty of peace signed at Ghent, December 24th, 1814, 
and ratified by the president and senate, February 18th, 1814. 

On the2d of March, 1815, congress declared war against 
Algiers, and sent commodores Bainbridge and Decatur, with 
11 frigates, and other armed vessels, to humble that power ; 
and in tour months, Algiers, with all the Barbary powers, 
were united in treaties of peace with the United States ; a 
pist tribute to the American flag. 

In 1817, Mr. Monroe succeeded Mr. Madison. Mr. Tomp¬ 
kins was chosen vice-president. 

In 1818, general Jackson humbled the Seminole Indians, m 
a successful war. 

In 1821, Spain ceded the Floridas to the United States*—- 
(General Jackson was made governor of the Territory of 
Florida. 

In August, 1824, the marquis La Fayette arrived inNew- 
Ifork, and commenced his tour through the country, and was 
hailed by the nation as the friend of liberty, and the hero and 
benefactor of America. 


When was fought he famous battle of Ncw-Orleans, and what Wtis 
the loss on each side ? 

When and where was the treaty of peace signed, and when ratified by 
the president and senate ? 

When did congress declare war against Algiers, and what was thefc- 
sult ? 

When and by whom was Mr. Madison succeeded in th© presidency : 

When and by whom were the Seminole Indians humbled ? 

When were the Floridas ceded to the United States ? 



MAINE, 


49 


lu 1825, John Q, Adams was elected president, as success 
or to Mr. Monroe, and Mr. Calhoun was elected vice-presi 
dent. 


Who succeeded Mr. Monroe in the presidency, and who became vice 
president ? 


INDIVIDUAL STATES. 

Q. Which are the Individual States that compose the confederacy 
of the United States, and what is their geographical situation and 
characters ? 

A. They are twenty-four in number, and their geographi 
cal situation will be best explained upon the map of the Unit¬ 
ed States ; but their characters are fully explained under each 
state. 

Q. What are the governments of the several states ? 

A. The governments of the several states are all purely re¬ 
publican, upon the elective, or representative plan. Their 
legislative bodies all consist of a governor, lieut. governor, a 
senate, and house of representatives, chosen by the people 
and their judiciaries are all appointed by the legislative bod 
ies, with permanent salaries. 

GRAND DIVISlbNS. 

1$. How may the United States be geographically divided ? 

A. They are generally classed under the four following di 
visions, viz. the Eastern, Middle, Southern and Western 
States. 


Eastern State*. 

MAINE. 

What are the situation and extent of Maine ? 

A. Maine is bounded on the N. by Lower Canada ; E. by 
the river St. Croix, that divides it fromN . Brunswick ; S. by 
the Atlantic ocean ; and W. by N. Hampshire. It is about 
200 miles long, and the same broad ; and contains about 
40,000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into the following counties, viz. Y ork, Cum 
lierland, Kennebeck, Somerset, Lincoln, Hancock, TV sshiog' 

5 



50 


UNITED STATES, 


ton, Oxford and Penobscot; and these are divided into 243 
towns. Its population is about 300,000. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. The climate is severe in winter, but mild in summer. 

Q. What is the faee of the country ? 

A. The face of the country is rough and hilly, but not 
mountainous ; covered in many parts with extensive forests 
of maple, beach, and pine, and with numeious lakes and 
swamps. It is rough near the coast, which extends about300 
miles ; and is indented with numerous harbors and bays. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil is generally favourable to all the productions 
common to New England, excepting Indian corn, which is but 
partially cultivated; hops are indigenous, and pasturage is 
good. 

Q. What are its minerals ? 

A. Bog-iron, copperas, and sulphur. Slate is found near 
the rivep Kennebeck, where it is obtained in tables ten feet 


square. 

Q. Which are the principal islands ? 

A. Mount Desert, Long Island, Deer Island, and Sequin 
Island : on Sequin Island is an intermitting light-house, to dis¬ 
tinguish it from Portland light. 

Q. Which are the principal bays ? 

A. Saco, Casco, Frenchman’s, Penobscot, Machias, and 
Passamaquoddy. 4 
Q. Which are the principal lakes ? 

A. Sebacook and Umbagog. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. St. Croix, Penobscot, Kennebeck, &e. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 


A. Portland, York, Hallowed, Augusta, Bath, Buckstotvn, 
Wiscasset, and Machias, are all flourishing towns in Maine. 

Portland, post-town and port of entry, Cumberland countv Maine 
:«*' NNE. Portsmouth, lt5 NNE. Boston, W. 554.+ Lon 70 20 W 
Eat. 43. 39. N. Pop. in 1800, 3,877 ; in 1810, 7,169 ; in 1820 8 58L 
It is a very pleasant town, delightfully situated on a peninsula in Cas 
co bay. It is the shire town of the county, the seat of the state Gov¬ 
ernment, and in point of population, wealth and commerce, the most 
considerable town in Maine. It contains a handsome house for the 
meeting of the legislature, a very elegant brick court house, an alms 
uouse. a market house, a town house, two banks, an insurance office 
a academy, four boarding schools for young ladies, various schools’ 
•ubho and privates town library of 1,300 volumes, an apprentices li-1 
erary of 900 volumes, and 10 houses for public worship, 3 for Congre- 
ationalists, 2 for Baptists, 1 for Episcopalians, 2 for Methodists, 1 


t From Washington. 







MAINE. 


51 


for Friends, and 1 for Universalists. Five of the meeting-houses aw? 
furnished with bells. The town is generally very well built, a large 
proportion of the public and private buildings are of brick, and many 
of them art; elegant. 

The harbor of Portland is one of the best on the continent ; it is 
safe and capacious, easy of access, and is never frozen over, except for 
a few days during the severity of winter. On a headland, in Capo 
Elizabeth, near the entrance of the harbor, there is a stone light house 
! *0 feet high, erected in 1790. The town is defended by forts Preble 
and Scarmnel, two fine forts on opposite sides of the ship channel, one 
, and a half miles from the light-house, both mounting 35 pieces ofcan- 
f non. At the east end of the town is fort Burrows, in the rear of which 
are some other military works. On the highest eminence of Mount 
Joy’s neck, on the NE. side of the town stands an observatory, about 
i <0 feet high, which affords an extensive, variegated, and beautiful 
view of the town, the harbor, the islands, and the interior country. 

The situation of Portland, with regard to an extensive and growing 
f back country, is such as to insure to it extensive business, and high 
! commercial importance. The exports consist chiefly of timber, beef, 
: fish, butter, &c. The shipping is principally employed in the fisher¬ 
ies, coasting business, and the trade to the West-Indies, Russia, and 
j of late to the East Indies. The shipping belonging to this port, in 
1821, amounted to 33,619 tons. A water communication between 
Portland and Sebago lake, is projected, which may be formed, by 
opening a canal about six miles long; thence by a short canal from Se¬ 
bago lake to Long pond; by this means, a water conveyance of more 
I than forty miles will be .effected. Portland was formerly included in 
Falmouth, and in 1775, the principal part of the town was burnt by 
the British. It was incorporated by its present name in 1786. 

Q. What are th«i commerce and manufactures of Maine ? 

A. Lumber is the chief article of export ; and her manufac¬ 
tures are small, but her tonnage renders her the fourth com¬ 
mercial state. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, a Baptist Theological 
Seminary at Waterville, and a Congregational Literary and 
Theological Seminary, at Bangor, all which are flourishing 
institutions ; there are several academies, and schools are es¬ 
tablished by taw in all the towns. 

Q. What Indians remain in this state ? # 

A. The Penobscot tribe, which amounts to about 250 fam¬ 
ilies, who possess an island in the river Penobscot, that con¬ 
tains about 200 acres ; they arc Roman Catholics ; support a 
priest and regular worship; they have a church and bell, 
and arc governed by their own laws. 

HISTORY, 

Q. What is the history of Maine ? 

A. Maine was settled soon after New-Hampshire, as a dis¬ 
trict of Massachusetts, and continued the connection until the 


UNITED STATES. 


year 1820, when it was erected into a state ; and admitted in' 
?o the Union in 1821. _ 

Questions. —When was Maine settled, and as a district 
state When erected into a state, and when admitted into the Un 

ion ? 

NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of New-Hampshire ? 

A. New-Hampshire is bounded on the N. by Lower Cana' 
da ; E. by Maine ; S. by the Atlantic and Massachusetts : 
and W. by Vermont. It contains about 9,000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. New-Hampshire is divided into the following counties, 
viz. Coos, Grafton, Cheshire, Hillsborough,'Rockingham, and 
Stafford ; these contain 200 towns. Population 250,000. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. It is level near the sea, about 20 or 30 miles ; it then 
rises into hills and mountains, which terminate in the White 
mountains, near the confines of Canada. 

Q. What is worthy of notice in these mountains ? 

A. They are the highest land in New-England ; are cov¬ 
ered with snow about 11 months in a year, and are seen at. 
sea, 80 or 100 miles from the coast. 

Q. What is their elevation ? 

A. About 7000 feet above the level of the sea. 

Q. What are the climate, soil, and productions ? 

A. The climate is cold, but salubrious ; the soil is general 
iy rough, but fertile ; and the productions such as are com¬ 
mon to New-England. 

Q. What are the mines and minerals ? 

A. Iron is the principal ; and the mines of Franconia are 
said to surpass all others in the United States. Silver has been 
discovered near Portsmouth. 

Q. Which are the principal lakes ? . 

A. Winoipiseogee, Umbagog, Squam, Sunnapee, Great Os- 
aapee, and Messabesia. 

Q. What large rivers rise under the White mountains ? 

A. The Connecticut, Saco, Andriscoggin, Merrimac, and 
Piscataqua ; the five largest rivers in New-England. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Portsmouth, Exeter, Concord, Dover, Keene, Amherst, 

harlestown, Haverhill, and Plymouth. 

Portsmouth, post-town and port of entry, Rockingham county, on 
south side of Piscataqua, 3 miles from the sea ; 14 ENE. Exeter, 24 
N- Newburyport, 45 ESE. Concord, 54 SSW, Portland, 56 N. by E 




ttEW-HAMPSHIRE. 


53 


[ Boston, W. 500. Lon. 70. 45. W. Lat. 43. 5. N. Population in 
1 3810, G,934 ; in 1820,7,327. It is the most considerable town, and 
I the only sea-port in New-Hampshire, It has a healthy and pleasant 
j situation, and is handsomely built. Some of the houses are elegant, 
t and but a small proportion of them are mean. It has 32 streets, 40 
lanes, 12 alleys, and contains a court-house, a jail, an alms house, an 
academy, an atheaenum, 2 market-houses, a town-hall, a custom 
; house, an Insurance office,' 5 banks, including a branch of the United 
States bank, and 7 houses for public Worship, 3 for Congregational- 
ists, 1 for Episcopalians, 1 for Baptists, 1 for Methodists, and 1 for 
Universalists. The Episcopal church is a spacious and elegant brick 
edifice, from the cupola of which there is a handsome view of the 
town, the river, the islands, and the surrounding country. 

Portsmouth is well situated for trade, and has considerable com¬ 
merce. The shipping belonging to this port, in 1821* amounted to 
23,335 tons. The harbor is one of the best in the United States, hav¬ 
ing through its whole passage up to the town, 42 feet of water at low 
tide, and owing to the rapidity of the current, which is equal to five 
miles an hour, it is never frozen. It is so defended against storms by 
the adjacqnt land, that ships may securely ride herb in any season of 
the year ; and it is almost impregnable by its natural situation. The 
entianco is defended by two forts, fort Constitution, on Great Island, 
and fort M’Clary, opposite to it, in Kittery. There are three other 
foits built for the defence of the harbor, but not garrisoned at present. 
There is also a lighthouse on Great Island. 

On the 26th of'Dccember, 1802,320 buildings, in 1806,20 buildings, 
including the Episcopal church, and in 18!3, 173 buildings were de¬ 
stroyed in this town by fire ; the parts which were burnt by these 
fires have been mostly rebuilt with brick. An elegant bridge was er- 
1 ected in J822, across the Piscataqua, connecting Portsmouth with 
! Kittery, in Maine. 

In the Piscataqua, opposite to the town, is Navy Island, on which 
; there is a United States navy yard. The island belongs to the gener¬ 
al o-overnment, and is convenient for building ships of war ; it contains 
! a lartre ship house, a hospital, barracks, -store houses, 3 wet docks, &c. 
The Washington, a 74 gun ship, was launched here in 1314 ; and an¬ 
other 74 has been lately built here. * 

Q. What are the commerce and manufactures ? - 
A. The exports of New-Hampshire are lumber, fish, oil, 
and the productions ot the soil generally, to suit the West In 
dia markets. Domestic manufactures are very general ; also 
brick, pottery, and some iron. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. Dartmouth College, at Hanover, and Exeter Academy, 
are flourishing institutions ; there are also several other acad¬ 
emies, handsomely endowed by the legislature. Schools are 
established by law in all the towns. 

Q. What are the public improvements ? 

A. The Middlesex canal connects the river Merrimac with 
Boston ; a distance ol 31 miles, and greatly facilitates the trade 
of the upper country. 

5* 






UNITED STATES. 


& 

Q. What arc the natural curiosities of this state ? 

A. The passage of the river Saco through the White Hill?, 
is as great a curiosity as the passage of the Shenandoah. Or 
Potomac, through the Blue ridge, in Virginia ; the mountain is 
left from its summit to its base, that opens a passage for the 
river and a road, and offers to the traveller a sublime view. 

A cold, dreary cavern, on the declivity of a circular emin¬ 
ence, called Rattlesnake hill, in the town of Chester, which is 
150 feet square, in the solid rock, and about four feet high. 
The top, or roof, is thick set wiih spar, in the form and size of 
a pear. 

A solid rock in the town of Durham, of 60 or 70 tons weight, 
♦ hat is so exactly balanced as to be moved with one finger. 

An island in Atkinson, that rises and falls live or six feet 
with the water that embosoms it. 

Also, upon the plain of Hanover, near Dartmouth college, 
logs have been found 30 or 40 feet below the surface of the 
earth, and 100 feet above the level of Connecticut river. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of New Hampshire ? • 

A. The first settlements commenced upon the Piscataqua 
<n the year 1633, under John Wheelright, and others, who 
extinguished the Indian claims ; but their efforts to settle it 
were feeble, and they sold their claims to two adventurers in 
England, Mason and Gorges, who attempted to divide New* 
England into 12 lordships, under a viceroy, or governor-gen- 
erd, for which purpose they obtained a patent that embraced 
the province of Maine, under the sanction of king Charles I. 
and Gorges was vested with the supreme authority ; but Ma¬ 
son and Gorges died soon after, and the plan failed, and the 
settlements in New Hampshire were placed under the juris¬ 
diction of Massachusetts. 

In 1679, king Charles II. inhibited the jurisdiction of Mas¬ 
sachusetts, by a special commission, which appointed John 
Cutts president of New Hampshire, with a council of nine to 
preside over the colony. This commission settled the gov¬ 
ernment of New-Hampshire upon the same liberal principles 

Questions.— When and where were the first settlements of New- 
Hampshire commenced, and by whom ? 

To whom did the first settlers relinquish their claims ? 

How did these adventurers attempt to divide New England : 

What caused the failure of this plan ? 

Under whose jurisdiction were these settlements then placed : 

Whtt special commission was granted by Charles II, in 1G79 



VERMONT. 


5p 

as those of the other colonies of New-England ; but the heirs 
of Mason came from England and distracted the government 
with their claims, down to the year 1715, before they were 
finally extinguished. These claims, and the bloody Indian 
wars which raged from time to time, greatly retarded the set¬ 
tlements ; and the subsequent Indian wars continued to re¬ 
tard the settlements down to the conquest of Canada, in 1750 
—GO, and the peace ol Paris, in 1763. From that time the 
settlements of New Hampshire began to flourish, and have 
continued to improve down to the present time. 

New-Hampshire warmly co-operated with Massachusetts, 
and the other colonies, in resisting the aggressions of Britain, 
from their commencement in 1764, down to the peace of 
1783. She also entered cordially into the measures of the 
federal government. 

What retarded the-settlements ? 

When did they begin to flourish ? 

VERMONT. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Vermont ? 

A. Vermont is bounded on the N. by Lower Canada ; E. 
by Connecticut river, or New Hampshire ; S. by Massachu¬ 
setts ; and W. by New York. It is about 157 miles long, and 
from 40 to 80 wide. It contains 10,000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. Vermont is divided into 13 counties, viz. Bennington, 
Windham, Rutland, Windsor, Addison, Orange, Chittenden. 
Caledonia, Washington, Franklin, Orleans, Essex and Grand 
Isle ; these contain 246 towns. Its population is 235,000. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The Green mountain gives name to the state, and ex- 
! lends from its southern line through the centre of the state, as 
far north as Onion river : above this it is lost in the undula¬ 
ting face of the country. 

Q. What influence has this mountain upon the commerce of the 
state ? 

A. It divides the western commerce to New-Yorkand 
Canada, and the eastern to New-England. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil is generally lertile, yielding in abundance, $11 
the various productions that are common to New England. 
Her forests abound with pine, oak, maple, ash, butternut, and 
hemlock'. 




56 


UxNITED STATES. 


Q, What are the minerals ? 

A. Iron, lead, pipe-clay, white, grey, and variegated mar¬ 
ble. 

Q. Which are the principal lakes ? 

A. Lake Champlain on the west, and Memfremagog on the 
north. 

Q. Which are its principal rivers ? 

A. Otter, Onion, Latnoil, and Misiscoui, that empty into 
lake Champlain ; and West, 'White, and Pasoumsic, that fall 
into’ Connecticut river. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. The chief towns of Vermont are, Bennington, Rutland, 
Middlebury, Vergennes. 'Burlington, and St. Albans, on the 
west side of the mountain. Brattleborough, Windsor, Wood- 
stock, Chelsea, Danville, Guildhall, and Craftsbury, on the 
east. Montpelier, the seat of government, ts near the centre 
of the state. 

Windsor, pojL-town, Windsor county, orKthe west bank of the Con¬ 
necticut; 18 S. Dartmouth college, G1 S'. Montpelier, 112 NW. Bos¬ 
ton, 126 N. Hartford, W. 463. Lon. 72. 30. W. Lat. 43. 29. N. 
Population in 1810, 2,757; in *1820, 2,956. It is a very pleasant, 
handsome, and flourishing town, one of the largest in the state, and 
lias considerable trade. It contains a court Ijouse, a. state prison, a 
bank, an academy for young ladies, two handsome houses of public 
worship, one for Cdngregationaiists, ancT one for Baptists, and two 
printing offices, from each of which is issued a weekly newspaper. 

Q. What is the commerce of Vermont ? 

A. Vermont -carries on an extensive trade with Boston, 
Portland, Hartford, New York, Albany, Montreal, and Que¬ 
bec. 

Q. What are the exports? • 

A. Such as are common to Nevv-England ; wheat, rye, 
flour, beef, pork, butter, cheese, lard, iron, nails, glass, pot 
and pearl ashes ; live stock, &c. 

Q. What are the manufactures ? 

A. Iron and steel, glass* and 'distilled spirits ; pot and 
pearl ashes, and mapl.e sugar extensively. Domestic manu¬ 
facture's are common throughout the state. 

Q, What is the state of literature ? 

A. Burlington college, endovyed by the state, and Middle¬ 
bury college, are flourishing institutions in Vermont 5 there 
are many academies in the state ; and schools are established 
by law in air the towns, and well supported. At Castleton 
there is a medical school, under the superintendance of Dr. 
Tutly. 

Q. What are the natural curiosities ? 

A. A curions cave in the side of a hill, in Clarendon ; the 




VERMONT. 


5 ? 


entrance of which is about four feet in circumference, with a 
descent of 104 feet into a spacious room 100 feet long, and 20 
broad ; this room is thick set with spar, upon the sides and 
bottom, and hung above with a vast variety of stalactites. The 
sides are furnished with chairs, tables, kc. apparently the 
work of art : all which reflect a brilliant lustre from the 
torches of the guides. Fifteen feet beneath this hall is a boil ¬ 
ing spring, hitherto unfathomable ; it is accessible through a 
conical hole at one end of the hall. 

A changeable sulphurious spring has'been found, near the 
Great Oxbow, which dries and breaks out in a new place, ev 
ery two or three years. 

HISTORY. 

Q. Whatis the history of Vermont ? 

A. Vermont was formerly claimed by New Hampshire, and 
known by the name of New Hampshire grants. In 1741, 
New Hampshire settled her boundary line with Massachusetts, 
and the then governor, Benning Wentworth, made a grant of 
a township six miles square, upon the south-western corner 
of the claims, and called it after his own name, 'Bennington. 
The same governor continued his grants until the year I7.S4, 
when the old French and Indian war commenced. In 1761, 
when the war closed in America, about 60 townships had been 
located, and at the peace of 1763, about .130 townships had 
been located. These grants alarmed the state of New York, 
and produced a controversy that continued through the revo 
lutionary war, and was finally adjusted amicably between the 
parties, in the year 1790; Vermont paid to New York 30,000 
dollars, and took her quit-claim. In 1791, Vermont was ad¬ 
mitted into the Federal Union. 


Questions. —What state originally claimed Vermont, and by what 
name was it known ? 

What township was grantedin 1741, and by whom? 

How many townships had been located at the close of the old French 
and Indian war? 

How many at the peace of 1763 ? 

Did these grants alarm the state of New-York 
When and how was the controversy settled ? 

When was Vermont admitted into the Union 




UNITED STATES. 


MASSACHUSETTS. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Massachusetts r 

A. Massachusetts is bounded on the N. by Vermont and 
New Hampshire ; E. by Massachusetts bay and the Atlantic 
ocean ; S. by the Atlantic ocean, Rhode-Island and Connecti¬ 
cut ; \V. by the state of New York. It is about 190 miles 
Iona; and 90 broad. It contains about 7000 square miles. 

Q. What are the civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 14 counties, viz. Suffolk, Norfolk, Es¬ 
sex, Middlesex, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, Plymouth, 
Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes county. Nantucket, Worcester, and 
Berkshire"; these are divided into 300 towns. Its popula¬ 
tion is about 623,287. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. The winters are cold, but the summers are mild ; and 
the air is salubrious. The sea-coast is rendered unpleasant, 
by frequent north-east winds. 

Q. What is the face of the'country i 

A. It is pleasantly undulated with bill and dale. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. Taghonnuc range, Wachuset, Tom, and Holyoke, are 
the only mountains of any note. 

Q« What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil near the coast is generally rough and barren : 
but in the interior it is fertile, especially upon the rivers and 
streams. 

Q. Which are the minerals ? 

A. Gold, silver, copper, iron, black-lead, pipe-clay, red 
and yelloty ocre. marble in variety, asbestos, (or uninflamma* 
hie cotton,) pyrites of sulphur, vitriol and alum. 

Q. Which are the principal islands ? 

A. Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Plumb, Elizabeth, and 
Castle Island. 

Q. What is peculiar to Nantucket ? 

A. Nantucket has but one tree upon it of natural growth. 
It feeds 500 cows in one drove, and the inhabitants subsist 
principally by the whale and cod fishery. 

Q. Which are the principal capes ? 

A. Cape Cod, Cape Ann, Gape Malabar, and Cape Poge. 

Q. Which are the principal bays ? 

A. Massachusetts, Ipswich, Boston, Plymouth, Barnstable, 
and Buzzards. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Connecticut, with its branches ; Housatonic, Mer- 
rimac, with its tributary streams ; Concord, Mystic, Charles 
and Taunton 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


53 


Which are the chief towns ? 

A Boston, Salem, Marblehead, Newburyport, Ipswich, 
Charlestown, Worcester, Springfield, Northampton, and many 
others, too numerous to mention. 

Boston, city, sea port, and capital of Massachusetts, in Suffolk 
county ; 14 SSW. Salem, 0 NNE. Providence, 56 S. bv W. Port« 
mouth, 63 SSE. Concord, N. H. 100 ENE. Hartford, 115 SSW. Port¬ 
land, 210 NE. New York, 300 SSE. Montreal, 300 NE. Philadelphia, 
W. 436. Lon. 71. 4. W. Lat. 42. 22. N. Pop. in 1765, 15,520 ; in 
1790, 13,038 ; in 180", 24,937 ; in 1810, 33,2o0 ; in 1820,43,29 ;; 
white males 20,108 ; white females 21,450; coloured persons 1,690; 
other persons 50. 

It is situated at the head of Massachusetts bay, built, with the ex¬ 
ception of the part called South Boston, on a peninsula of uneven sur¬ 
face, and is nearly three miles iniength, and one mile and twenty-five 
rods, where widest, in breadth; an$l is connected with the main land 
at the south end by a narrow isthmus, called the Neck, leading to 
Iloxbury. The outer harbour is formed by Naliant Point on the 
north, and Point Alderton on the south, and is studded by about forty 
small islands, fifteen of which afford excellent pasture ; and are fre¬ 
quented in summer by numerous parties of pleasure. The inner har¬ 
bour is so capacious, that 500 vessels may ride at anchor in a good 
depth of water ; while the entrance is so narrow as scarcely to admit 
two ships abreast. It is one of the best harbours in the United States, 
accessible at every season, and protected from all winds. The en¬ 
trance is defended by two strong forts, Fort Independence on Castle 
Island, and Fort Warren on Governor’s Island. The city is admira¬ 
bly situated for commerce, and is a place of great trade and opulence. 
The quantity of shipping belonging to this port exceeds that of any 
other port in the United States, with the exception of New York ; and 
in 1816, amounted to 143,420 tons ; in 1821, 126,323 tons. In 1821. 
the number of foreign arrivals was 584 ; clearances 613 ; arrivals 
! coastwise 1,831; clearances 2,082. The duties on imports, in 1821, 
amounted to nearly $4,000,000. The city pays one third of the state 
tax. Among the manufacturing establishments are brass and iron 
founderies, a type foundery, and two large glass manufactories, in 
which window glass and fancy and ornamental work are made of a 
very superior quality. The other manufactories are cordage, cards 
for wool and cotton, paper hangings, hats, plate, soap, candles, rum, 
sugar, &c. . 

Boston contains 155 streets, 27 lanes, exclusive of courts and 
squares, and about 80 ,’harves and quays ; eleven banks, including a 
branch of the United States bank, twelve insurance offices, a state 
house, a court house, a theatre, two jails, an alms house, a work house, 
an asylum for female orphans, and one for indigent boys, four market 
houses, four museums, a circus, and a riding school ; a Medical col¬ 
lege, and twenty-nine places of public worship ; eleven for Congrega- 
tionalists, five for Episcopalians, three foi Baptists, three for Univer- 
isalists, two for Methodists, one for Homan Catholics, one for Friends, 
one for Africans, a New Jerusalem church, and the seamen’s chapel. 
Many of the churches are elegant, and most of them are ornamented 
with steeples or cupolas. To the public buildings may be added the 
old state house, the Massachusetts general hospital, the Custom hous*. 



€0 


UNITED STATES, 


Fanueil hall, Concert hall, Barristers hall, and Merchants hall. The 
iast is in the same building with the post-office, and has an extensive 
public reading room, which is a grand focus of political and commer¬ 
cial intelligence. Among the public objects may be enumerated the 
Gallery of Fine Arts, and the Washington Gardens. 

In 1817, there was erected on both sides of Market street a block oi 
stores, 485 feet in length on one side, and 442 on the other, and four 
stories high ; and on Central wharf another immense pile of buildings 
was completed the same year, 1,240 feet in length, containing 54 
stores four stories high, and having a spacious hall in the centre, over 
which is erected a convenient observatory. hese buildings, for ex¬ 
tent, convenience, and elegance, are said not to be exceeded in the 
commercial world. The general hospital is a very spacious and ele¬ 
gant edifice, and the new court house is large and commodious, both 
built of Chelmsford granite. The state house is built on ground ele¬ 
vated about 100 feet above the level of the harbor, and is a noble edi¬ 
fice. It is 173 feet in front, and 61 deep, and its situation and size ren¬ 
der it a very conspicuous object. The dome is 50 feet in diameter, 
terminated by a circular lantern, at an elevation of 100 feet from the 
foundation. The prospect from the top is exceedingly magnificent 
and beautiful, surpassing every th'ng of the kind in this country, and 
will bear a comparison with the Castle hill of Edinburgh, the famous 
bay of Naples, or any other of the most picturesque scenes in Europe. 
Here may be seen at a view, the town with its shipping and buildings, 
the harbor and its islands, Charles river, a fine country, ornamented 
with elegant country seats, and more than twenty flourishing towns. In 
front of the state house is the common, containing 44 acres, surround¬ 
ed by the mall, an extensive and most delightful public walk. In the 
north part of the city the streets are narrow, irregular and crooked; 
many of the houses of wood, more than a century old, and built with 
little regard to convenience or taste ; but in the parts recently built, 
the streets are wider, the houses mostly of brick, and the private 
buildings display more elegance and splendour, than in any other city- 
in the United States. The city exhibits a very picturesque and beau¬ 
tiful view when approached from the sea ; and its general appearance 
is much admired by strangers. The surrounding country is well cul¬ 
tivated, populous, and remarkably pleasant, having numerous elegant 
country seats, and many handsome villages ; and surpasses in natural 
scenery and artificial improvement the vicinity of any city in the Un¬ 
ion. 

Boston is the literary as well as commercial metropolis .of New-Eng- 
land. It is well supplied with schools, both public and private ; and 
has several valuable libraries, and numerous literary and humane so¬ 
cieties. The Boston Atheaenum is a noble establishment, commenced 
in 1806, and has a large brick building appropriated to its accommoda¬ 
tion. It contains a library of 21,000 volumes, is well furnished with 
domestic and foreign periodical publications, and open every day in 
the week, except Sunday. The Boston library contains 8,000 volumes; 
the Theological library 2,000 ; the Social Law library 1,000 ; the Mer¬ 
cantile library 1,200; the Mechanic Apprentices library about 2,500. 
The Massachusetts Historical Society has a library of upwards of 
2,000 volumes, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences one 
of about 1,500. * These, together with the other principal societies in 
the state, hold their meetings here. There are published in Boston, 





MASSACHUSETTS. 


in 


nineteen newspapers ; three daily, one thrue times a week, five twice 
a week, and ten once a week ; and eleven other periodical works arc 
published or republished. The citizens are distinguished for their en- 
terprise, intelligence, hospitality, and public spirit ; and for the liber¬ 
ality with which they support humane and charitable objects. 

The bridges, which are five in number, are objects of particular in¬ 
terest. Charles river bridge, connecting Boston with Charlestown was 
first opened for passengers in 1786. It is 1,503 feet long, 42 broad, 
and stands on seventy-five piers. West Boston bridge, connecting 
Boston with Cambridgeport was opened in 1793. It is 3,483 feel 
long, 40 brofiil, and stan ds upon 180 piers. ; South Boston bridge, con¬ 
necting the main part of the town with South Boston, was constructed 
in 1805, and is 1,628 feet long, and 42 broad. Craigie’s or Cana! 
bridge, connecting Boston with Lechmeie’s point, was opened in 18011 
It is 2,740 feet long, and 56 broad, floored witli earth. This, bridge, 
on the Cambridge side, is connected with Charlestown by Frison poin? 
bridge, 1,831 feet long. The Mill Dam bridge, forming a grand ave¬ 
nue into Boston from Brookline nnd Brighton, was begun in 1818, and 
finished in 1821, and cdst about $600,000. It is constructed of stone 
and earth, one and a half-miles long, ab*ut thirteen-feet high, and so 
broad that five carriages may be driven over it abreast. It encloses 
two basins; a full basin consisting of 200, acres, and a receiving basin 
containing 500 acres. These basins are separated by a cross dam, on 
which it is contemplated toe'rect-various mills. A large corn mill has- 
been recently finished, and i$m successful operation.* A water power 
is created sufficient to put in operation very extensive water works. 

The Indian name of Boston was Shawmut. It was settled by the 
English in 1,630, and at first (failed Tremont or Trimountain, from three 
hills. It was greatly distinguished foi; the part it took in the revolu- 
' tion, which originated herd. It was styled and governed as„a town till 
1822, whertit was erected into a city, and a representative government 
was instituted. It is divided into twelve wards, and the elections are’ 
now held by wards. It has differed much, by fires ; some of the prin¬ 
cipal of which have happened in 1676,. 167 ', 1683, 1711, 1760, 1767, 
1775, 1787, and 1794. In 1760, happened what, was called the great 
Jire , which-consumed 174 dwelfmgTlouses,-and 175 olher buildings. In 
1818, November 3d,* the .exchange, a magnificent ,briciy edifice of seven 
•stories, 127 feet long-,• containing 202 rooms, was burnt.—Benjamin 
Franklin w f as born here, January 17^ 1706. 

•Q. What isf the commerce of Massachusetts ? 

A. Massachusetts,euipjovs 38,000.tons of shipping in her 
fisheries-, 5000-in her coasting trade/and 100,420 in her for¬ 
eign trade, which includes' about pile third of the tonnage of 
the United States, Total 1 Tt3,420. - r * . 

Q. What is the state of manufactures i! r 

A. Duck, cotton, iron, nails, paper, cards, distilled spirits, 
glass, shoes, wire, sriuff, oil, chocolate, and powder, are all 
extensively manufactured in Massachusetts. 

Q. What are the improvements in inland navigation ? 

A. The Middlesex canal stands first, and next the locks 
and canals, at the falls upon Connecticut river. 

6 





62 UNITED STATES. 

Q. What further improvements are contemplated r 

A. Two canals,,the one across the isthmus of Cape God, 
the other from Boston harbor to Taunton river, about 28 
miles. Both will connect Boston bay with Narraganset bay. 

Q. Which arc the principal bridges ? 

A. There are about 30 bridges in Massachusetts, under toll. 
viz. Charles river bridge, from Boston to Charlestown, 1500 
feet long ; two others, from Boston to Cambridge, 3500 feet 
long each ; and a causeway to one of fhenr3600‘iee! more. 
Another from Boston to Dorchester ; two from Charlestown 
to Malden arid Chelsea. Essex bridge, between Salem and 
Beverly. All these have draws. Also, several valuable 
bridges over the Merrimac and the'Connecticut. 

Q. What is the state of the’roads-f 

A. More than 20 turnpike companies are incorporated, and 
their improvements on turnpike roads, are very-extensive 
and valuable. 

Q. What is the state of literature i - • ' 

A. In Massachusetts, schools are established by law in ev¬ 
ery town, and those in Boston are numerousThere arc 
more than 20 flourishing academies. The,- University of 
Cambridge is the oldest, and-one of the mOst respectable in 
the nation. The museum, and philosophical apparatus are 
very extensive ; and the library cpptains mote; than 12,000 
volumes. - 

Andover Theological Seminary is very liberally endowed, 
and is a most valuable and flourishing institution. 

Williamstown college, and Amherst college, are both flour¬ 
ishing institutions. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Massachusetts ? 

A. In the year .1620, the Puritan colony from England, I 
landed at Plymouth, arfd commenced the settlements of. New - 
England. The rack on which they landefl,-is still preserved 
at Plymouth, as a lasting, monument of that .memorable event. 

Mr. John Carver was the first governor at Plymouth colo¬ 
ny. 

In the year 1627, king Charles 1.; granted the charter of j 
Massachusetts Bay, to Henry Boswell,..arid others ; and the 
same year the first settlement commenced at Salem, under 
captain Johrt Indtcott. 

In 1629, John Wmthrop. was appointed governor, and ar- | 
rived at Chatlestown. 

m 

* ■ 9 

* 




MASSACHUSETTS. 


n >0, the first Christian chqrch was formed at Boston, 
oid the first general court was held at Charlestown. 

In 1639, Cambridge college was founded. 

In 1643, Massachusetts stood'at the headc 
laud confederacy. 


of the New-Eng- 


ln 1675, Philipps war commenced, that laid in ruins the 
finest settlements in Massachusetts-. 

In I63.5j king Charles II. removed the charter of Massa¬ 
chusetts, and placed the .colony under the government of Sir 
Edmund Andros,•£§ go.ve-rrior^eneral of New England. 

to 1688, Andros was removed, upon the accession of WiU 
liam.anrf Mnry to. fhe^thrpne of England •; and in 1692, king 
William granted a J^ew - charter, in which Plymouth colony 
was united to Ma-.sicliusi Us. Sir William Phipps was the 
first governor.. ‘ ' , 

In 1690,; the second Indian war Commenced^ called king 
W illiam’s war, that raged throughout the fiontiers of New- 
England, and- was closed at the pe;jce of Ry$wick,1697. 

In 1703, 'the third Indian .war commenced, called Queen 
Ann’s war, which raged ten - years, and was closed by the 
peace of Utrecht,-. 4-713. . ; 

In 1739, Great-Britain-declared war against Spain ; and 
such bad novy 'be'come the prosperity of Massachusetts, that 
sh? was able ' to furnish 500 men, in.'the service £f England, 
against C-arthagena^a cityof Spanish.--South America. 

In 1741, France took part in .theyv-f wi&h Spain, which 


Questions.— When and vyhere was the htst settlement maue in 
. New England - 5 

Who was the first governor of Plyfriouth colony ? * 

When and to whom was granted the charter of Massachusetts Bay, 
.and where was the first settlement-commenced ? 

Who was appointed governor 1 ? : ^ . 

When and where Was the first christjan church formed, and the first 
general court held ? • 

What college was founded in 1639a? V 
What war commenced in J6?5 ? , ’ 

When was the first charter of Massachusetts removed, and hew was 
the colony then governed ? - 
When and by whom was Sir Edmund Andros removed ? 

When did Massachusetts reteive a new charter,, What colony was uni¬ 
ted to her, and who becameyhe first governor ? 

When did the second Indian war commence, and what was it.called ? 
When the third, and what called ? 

What number of men did Massachusetts furnish in the service ef Eng 
land against Carthagena in 1739? 

| What caused the Indian war in 1741 ? 







fi 4 UNITED STATES, 

. omrnenced a new Indian war in Massachusetts and New Eng¬ 
land. . 

In 1746, Massachusetts, in connection with New-Hamp- 
shire, and the other New-England colonies, fitted out an ar¬ 
mament* and took the strong city oi Louisburg, on the island 
of Cape Breton, then owned by the French. This war was 
closed with France, by the peace of Aix-ja-ChapeUe, 1748 ; 
but the Indian war raged until the next year. 

In 1754, a war commenced in America, called the French 
and Indian war, that continued seven years, and was finally 
closed in Europe and America,'by the peace of Paris, 1763 = 
Massachusetts bore a very conspicuous part in thiswar. 

In 1764, Great Britain commenced a System of taxation up¬ 
on her American colonies ; and Massachusetts put herself at 
the head of an opposition, that led tb the revolutionary war, 
which commenced at Lexington, (in 'Massachusetts,-) April 19, 
1775. . 

The firnlne^s of Massachusetts not only brought upon her 
i li« fi raf ahhr.k of the re volution, and rendered her the theatre 

of war for the first year ; but she gave the first president to 
the first general congress,. (John Hancock,.) and bore a con¬ 
spicuous part in the revolution, to the peace of 1783. Massa¬ 
chusetts entered with' zeal into the measures pursued for 
framing the Federal Constitution, ancljgave the first vice-pres¬ 
ident, (John Adams,) who became thes-econd president-to the 
new government. In December, 1824, John Q,. Adams, son 
of the former Jdhh Adams, was eleptcd president. In tine, 
the civil, literary, agriculluralv commercial, and manufactur¬ 
ing improvements of Massachusetts, are not,surpassed by any 
one of the states in the Federal Union. . 

What city was taken by the New-Lngland colonies in 1746 : 

When did the French and Indian war commence, and ho v long did it 
continue ? . v. 

Oid the revolutionary war first commence in Massachusetts 4 

RHODE ISLAND. 

Q. What arc.the situation and extent ofR'hode-Island ? 

A. Rhode Island is bounded on the N\ and E. by Massa¬ 
chusetts ; S. by the Atlantic o‘cean ;, and W. by Connecticut. 1 
It is 49 miles long lind 29 broad ; and 1 contains" 1,421 square < 
miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? * 

A, It is divided into five counties, viz. Newport, Provi- 








RHODE-ISLASD. 65 


tlencc, W ashington* Bristol anti Kent j„these contain about 
31 towns. Its popnbition is ibout 03,000.. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil; and productions? 

A. The country b hilly, but not mountainous • the soil in . 
the southern parts is sandy and barren, except hi the Narra- 
gattset country, which is very,fertile, and produces the finest 
dairies in Neu'-Engbmdi ^ The islands are remarkably fertile* 
In the northern parts it ’is rough end stony. ’ . 

Q. What is the climate ?’' * - 

A. It is very s dubhpOs, and more temperate-than that O^f 
any'other ot the. New-Engl uirl states:, particularly about 'Nar- 
raganset b;^y v and upon lihodo^rsbind. ’ 

Q. What are<-itR minerals ? * .*• 

A. Copper. iron/coalyf and limestone'-; the latter in abun- 
dapce, and ;s extensively munu-iluitured. • 

Q. Which,^re-the-ipost lioted mineral springs? 

A. Thee* arfe s-eytrui*; the one near Providence is the 
| mast\f’reqoonted: A . . . „ e • . 

Q. Which.arethc principal Islands ? % _ - m 

A. Rhode Island, so cal fed-1’fiom its resemblance to the isL 
and 4 of Rhodes ; Block Island, Prudence, Dyer’s, Hogg Island, 
and Canonuietit. v s \ £ . , 

Q. Which arc its principal balys? 

A. Narraganseb-iind AJouat Hope.bays. 

Q. Which are the-principal rivers.? - 

A. Providence; Tapnion, Pavvtuxet, and Pawtucket.. 

Q. Which are th*e chief foWns ?• ' * r- 

A. Providence, Newpo.rf, Bristol, Warren,-East Green¬ 
wich, aiid ; W'rirvvick\ ;Trfc p-H flourishing towns. 

Providence, post-town, ami port of entry, and semi-metropolis of 
Rhodc-Islaiid, ip a county- of the s^nie name ; 15 NNW. Bristol ; '30 
N. Newport, 40 SS.vV. B^>ston v 5tJ;XE. N'ey'-London, 70'E. Hartford, 
W. 416. Lon. 71. 16. W. Lat, 41. 51. X. Pop. iiy 1800, 7,614; in 
1810, 10,071 ; in ; to:0, 11,767. It. is situated at .the head of Provi¬ 
dence river, or Narraganset. bay, west side'of the Seekhonk, or 

Pawtucket, and 35;miles from the ocean. It is a pleasant, well built, 
and, very thriv ng town, well situated for tride^ and has .a flourishing 
commerce, and extensive manufactories. The shipp ng belonging to 
this port in 1’821, amounted to 20,575 tons., The-river is navigable as 
far as the town for vessels of 800 tops. . . - 

Providence is built on both sides of the river, and the two parts are 
connected by a very elegant bridge, t 0 feet, in breadth. In point of 
population, it is the first town-in Rhode Island, ar.d the third in New- 
England. It contains a court house, a jail a market house, a custom 
house, a university, a pubi c library of about 2000 volumes, a Friends 
boarding school, an academy, five public schools, seven banks, includ- 


tAn extensive bed of anthacite coal has been discovered on the north 
jend of Rhode-Island, and is now in full operation. 

6 * 






66 


UNITED STATES. 


* u <t a. branch of the United States bank, four insurance offices, ami 
twelve houses of public worship ; 4 for Baptists, 3 for Congregational 
^sts, i £pr Episcopalians, 1 for Friends, 1 for Methodists, 1 for Univer- 
-ahsts, and 1 for Africans. Two of the Congregational, and one o.l 
the Baptist moeting-hoiises, and tlic Episcopal church, are among the 
handsomest edifices of the kind in the United States. Many of the 
private houses are elegant, and some of them are very finely situated. 
Among the manufacturing establishments a,re 3 cotton manufactories, 
a, large woollen manufactory, 2 paper mills, 2 bleaching, dying, and 
; alandering companies, and an air furnace. These manufactories are 
aided by three steam engines. Five newspapers are published here ; 

> t.yuce, and 2 once- a week. A little to the east are twp handsome 
bridges across the river, connecting Providence with Seek honk. This 
i own was originally settled, in 1636,by Mr. Iiogor Williams, to whom 
is ascribed (he honor of establishing tiie first political community, in 
which perfect religious toleration was admitted; 

Brown. University was originally founded at WarreiT, in 1764, and 
was removed to Providence, in 1770. It received its present name in 
18Q4, from Nicholas Brown, Esq, onc of its principal benefactors. It 
is a respectable and flourishing seminary. Its funds ^i,re not large, 
having arisen solely from individual liberality. There are two college ] 
edifices, both of brick, and four stories high ; one 150 feet long, and 
16 wide, with a projection of JO feet on.each side, containing 51 rooms ! 
occupied by students, together wi'jJi room*for public purposes. The 
other building, erected, in 1322,. is 1 J) feet by 40, and contains 43 
roon\s. These edifices are delightfully situated in a line, on an emi ¬ 
nence, on east side of the town, commanding a-fineprospect. The j 
college library contains about 5000 volumes^ and theie are two libra¬ 
ries belonging t-o two literary societies, each, containing about 1,200 
volumes ; the philosophical apparatus is respectable. 

The board of trusteesds conipbsed ‘of 36 members'; of whom 22 mus 1 j 
bo Baptists, 5 Friends, 5 Episcopalians, and 4 Congregalionali^ts. 
The number of Fellows, 'or,,Learned Faculty, is 12 ; of these*, eight, 
including the president, rnusfbe Baptists; line oilier four may be of 
any'denomination; as also may.the .professors anddutors. The exec¬ 
utive government consists <?f the president and eight professors ; 1 of 
law, 1 of moral philosophy' and, metq.physi.es, 1 of. mathematics 
and natural philosophy, , 1 of anatomy and surgery, 1 of materia 
inediea ayd botany, 1 oforalory and belles lettros. 1 of llie theory and 
practice of physic, and one of chemistry ; and 2 tutors. The number 
of students in 1822,-.was *156. -Whole number educated to 1820, 876 ; 
ministers 152- The f oinmehccment is on the 1st Wednesday of Sep¬ 
tember. There fire three vacations the first from commencement, 
three weeks ; the second from the last Wednesday in December, eight ! 
weeks ; the third from the third' Wednesday in May, two weeks. 

Th precis connected 'with ‘ the university a grammar school, containing 
usually about30 students. 

The Friends hoarding school, belonging to the yearly meeting for 
New-England, is three quarters of a mile NE. of the university, on an i 
elevated situation, commanding an extensive prospect. The building 
is a very spacious and elegant edifice of stone and brick. The body of 
the building is 54 feet by 56, three stories high, with two wings, each jj 
40 feet by 42, of two stories, with a basement story under the whole. 

has a superintendent, two male, and two female teachers, and about 
70-pupils, and a small library. 







RHODE-ISLAND. 


G7 


Newport, post-town, sea-port, and semi-metropolis Rhode-Island, 
in Newport county, on S\V. end of the island of Rhode-Island, 5 Guiles 
leom the sea„ 15 S. Bristol, 30 S. Providence, 55 E. by N. New-Lon- 
don, 71 S. by W. Boston, W. 419. Lon. 71. 14. W. Eat. 41. 25. N. 
Pop. in 1300, 6,G44 ; in 1810, 7,907; in 18-0,7,819. It contains a 
state house, a jail, an academy, 5 banks, 2 insurance offices, a public: 
library of 1,600 volumes, 2 circulating libraries, and eleven houses of 
public worship, 2 for Congrogationahsts, 3 for Baptists, 1 for Sabbata¬ 
rians, of Seven-day Baptists, 1 for Episcopalians, 1 for Friends, 1 for 
vlethodists, 1 for Moravians, and a Jews’Synagogue; The library has 
a very elegant building appropriated to its' accommodation. The 
j town licsN. and S. upon a gradual ascent east from the wateryand ex¬ 
hibits a beautiful view from the harbor and the neighboring hills. It 
is celebrated for the salubrity of its climate, as wed fas for the beauty 
of its situation, and is a place of fashionable resort from thg middle and 
southern states during the ho* months. It is more noted than any 
other town in the Ur.itedJStatGs ibr jhe variety and excellence of the 
fresh fish which its market affords. No fish market ill the world, is 
perhaps', better supplied. . f ' * ' -- 

Newpoit was first ; settled in b637, by William (voddington and his 
associate?. It was formerly more populous, co'minercial and flourish¬ 
ing, than at present. Before the 'American revolution, it was thy 
fourth commercial town in the colonies, and contained at one time 
more than 9090 inhabitants.. It suffered severely during the revolu¬ 
tionary war, and was fqr a loh'g tiihe occupied by the enemy. The 
principal street is more than a mile long, The houses have an antique 
appearance. The harbor whjch spreads westward before the town, is 
one of the finest in the world,-havinga. safe and easy entrance, and so 
spacious that'a large fleet may ajichor in it and ride in perfect security. 
It is defended bv three forts ; fort Often on north side of the town ; 
fort Adams on B feu ton’s Pdinl, 2 miles &W, of the town; and fort 
Wolcott on Goat Island, which' liesjn front of the town. On this isl¬ 
and there is also a military hospital belonging tb the United State?. 
The shipping owned here in 1821., amounted to 10,701 tons. A large 
stone mill is slifl standing here, which was erected before the dote of 
the earliest records.* * * 

Q. What is the state of manufactures in Rhode-Island ? 

A. 'These are flourishing ; linen'and'tow cloths.are manu¬ 
factured largely, for exportation ; also, har and sheet iron, 
steel, nails, nailrods, stoves, bells, and hollow ware, general¬ 
ly. Near Pi evidence are 7G cotton manufactories that are 
very flourishing. , '/ 

Q. What is the commerce of this §tatef 

A. Rhode Island carries on commerce with Boston, New- 
York, the southern statfcs,.Europe, and the East and \\ esf-In- 
dies. Tier exports in 181G, amounted to about 7U0,00U dol¬ 
lars. 

Q. What are its internal improvements ? 

A.’These are not very extensive; they consist ot one 
turnpike road, from Providence to Connecticut, and onefroj* 
Providence to Boston ; and several valuable bridges. 



Q. What is the state ofliteralure ? . • 

A* Kro wn -\J ni vemty at Providence, isa res pec table insti¬ 
tution, andthore is a flourishing academy at Newport, and 
seven -others m the:.state j-bnt public and private schools are 
not supported by law in tire several towns, as in the other 
New-Enginod states.- Theie.are .more Ahan £2>G in. the state. 

Q. What are the.natural cariosities ?• 

A. Pawtucket fulkq of' admit pOTeet perpendicular, which 

support a bridge directly upon .therr summit,' that affords# r.o- 
mat'tic view. 

. ’ ,. : IfISTORY. •; J . - V. 

* Q. * What is thieArist-qry dfi Rhade-Jsland ? J ... 

A. This sldteAvas settrdd in 16*i6, Tythe Rev. Roger Wil¬ 
liams, and his followers, who tied from the persecutions of 
Massachusetts. Mr.. \ViRiaj»S Settled*aCProvideuce,.and gave 
it a Uaixi£ expressive o,C his escape and .delivVfance*. Mr. 
Wi’d«arns cpriianeoded a freeAoieratron in religion< which still 
continues.' .; • ■ 7 ‘ " , • ' . . " 

Rhod&Jsland is famAtis foT its Mount Hope','the residence 
of the great Sach;em Philip, who beaded the Indian confeder¬ 
acy againV New-Engl and, in 

In 1644, Rhode Island obtnLnetl .lifer' first charter from ^par¬ 
liament ; and in 1647, the. Treernen chose their first presi¬ 
dent,. ■*. y ’ ‘ _ '/ • 

In 1652, p:frlhiment.dissolveil the assembly, .on account of 
their free toleration ; .but they resunied their sittings soon al¬ 
ter, ami continued to enjoy t-heif privilege^? In 1663,-king 
Charles 11. granted th/riv a neWdclfartcr; that pjaced Rhode- 
Island upon an equal footing with the other* gw-E ngland co¬ 
lonies. . _ - * 

The first assembly iffidvr this charter, commenced a sys¬ 
tem of persecution ngamst-the Catholics', which Continued to 
the accession'of kijtg .Panes It. in lGRb.a He 'attempted to 
check this persecution, by removing their charter, and plac¬ 
ing Rhode-lshuri under the" government. of Sir Edmund An- 
dros,\goverjnor of N ew-England. Upon the accession ofWil- 
liam and Mary tojhe throne of England, 1688, Andros was 

Questions.— When and ay whom was Rhode-Island settled ? 
What wqre the causes that led to this settlement ? 

What general war originated in Rhode-Island, and when ? 

When did Rhode-Island obtain her first charter ? 

When was this charter revoked, and a second charter granted ? * 
What consequences follow, d the second charter ? 







C ON NEC Ti CUT. 


6 £> 

iemoved, and they resumed their charter,,end continued to 
Cn j°y>t down to the American revolution. 

-The harbor of Newport had the honor to receive the. 
I - rerich fleet, under the command of admiral Terney ; and 
the French troops, under the comm and of count Rocham* 
beau, were put in possession of the Island, July 10th, 
1780. Rhode Islam! iurnished for the support of the revo¬ 
lution, a major-general Greene ? the hero of the southern 
war, whose brilliant military achievements rendered him the 
pride.and ornament of his country. 

Rbode-Island, beingonq df the smallest state« .-'entered cau¬ 
tious^ into the Federal Union ; but she has been-.uniform in 
her tvUpport of the government. 


What memorable event took place at Newport in HBO 5 " ' • 

■ What distinguished hero "f-the revolution sprang - from this state 
What is the character of this*state as amenihcr of the Union.: 


CONNECTICUT. W" 

Q. What -are the situation and, extent pf Connecticut? 

A. Connecticut's bounded on the N. by Massachusetts ; E. 
by Rhnde-Island ; S. by LongHsland soiind'; arid VV. by Nctv 
York. 41 is 90 miles )ori£,‘and 70 broad. It contains 4.G74 

square miles.. . : \ 

Q. What are its civil divi-sions-tind population? 

’A. Conn^.cticqbis divided wito eight Counties, viz Hartford, 
New Haven, xNew London, Fairfield, Windham Litchfield, 
Middlesex, nnd Toijtund ; these cxiataifi 122 towns. Its pop¬ 
ulation is 275,'248. , > • 

Q. What i? the face-Of tiro-country2 

A. Generally undulating and rough, excepting open the 
large rivers ; but it is notfhouj)tainous. (See,mountains, 
page r5i) 

Q. What is the climate' '? ' v . 

A. The climate is such ns is # compton to New-England, se¬ 
vere and cold in winter, but mild and warm in summer. 

Q. What are the $oil and productions ? , i 

A. The soil is generally.good, and well cultivated ; ond the 
productions are such as are common to the northern states, 
wheat, rye, barley, Indian corn, oats, flax, hemp, peas, beans, 
potatoes, onions, and'some tobacco. 

Q. What are its minerals ? . < . 

A. Silver, iron, lead, zinc, cobalt, coal, and chrystals. 





so 


United states. 

Q. Which are their mineral springs ? . 

* A. At Stafford there ns a chalybeate 
others have Been foundat Sudiehi, Li 

Q. Which 'arc the principal rivers ? ' , .' = 

A. Connecticut,' 1 lowsafonic, Thames, &c. * 1 

Q. Which areThe chief towns ? 

A. Hartford and N^vvddaven are (he capitals ; these, with 
Middletown, New London,-and Nbr-wicff, ffpe the five cities 
of Connecticut. .Fa; rlkd:!. Lilcidietd, and i ollan i, are coun* ' 
ty towns; Farmington, Wdt'heisfiedd, Windsor. Bull! eld. I - 
WindhariK and others, 'ire li uid.-on) ' town-'. "i 

If uwforo. city ..Hartford county.Connecticut, and semi-capital of 
the station W. bank of Connecticut river, 50 milts’^above its mouth, J 
1 -> N. Middletown, 3dAVNE. New-tf area,..42NW. New London, 70 1 

W„ Providence, 78-ESE'. Hudson, 94‘S'E. > lbahy; 100 WSW. Boston, J 
W.33& Lon 7V. 0. VV. Lai. 41/46. N. Pop. of the township in 
1000, 5,34 fin. [BIO, 6.003 f ih 18*0,'(COOFr-eff thc city in 1810 ,3,'55; 
ill lo20,74,720.- It has a pleasant and advantageous situation at the 
head of sloop navigation,'and if surrounded by a fertile and beautiful, 
country*, and it is very extensively connected with large towns in va- j 
rious directions, by means of good roads. It contains a handsome j 
state house of stone and brick, 2 markets, STanks. including a branch 
of-the United States’bank, an arsenal f an .academy.2 insurance offices, j 
a library- of 2.600, volumes, a in'usumn, an asylfun for the deaf and 
dumb, and’Sline hotfses for. public worship^ stfven ol them within the 
city, vj7,. 3 for.Coixgregatioftialist'Svl for Episcopalians, 1 tor Baptist, 1 
for Methodist, and 1 for Ui?iver^!ilists.- H The pundpaf street is about 
one and a half miies long, extenchug t hrough the city, parallel with the 
river. This.and other streets uva sjaiijar-direction, are' intersected by 
streets e.xtpnding btfok frm’p-the river,-but-not uniformly at right an¬ 
gles. .. he city is -gen.era.Uy,well built, partuihldrfy the main-street, on 
which many of the. houses arc elegant brick' edifices. The new Con¬ 
gregational meeting house is quo of-'Hie most. cleg-apt structures in the 1 
state. An elogaPt'bridge, with six aTches, 974 feet long, is erected 
over the onnecticut, eonrtecti :g the city with.East-Hartford. 

Hartford has a flourishing commerce. ‘The Shipping owned here in 
1318, amounted to 9,377 tons. . It has an extensive inland trade, and a 
variety of manufactures f as" leather, shoes, coachesj cotton and wool¬ 
len goods, saddlery, brass work, fcc It has 10 printing offices, from 4 1 
of which nekvspapcrs arc issued, 7 bookstores, and 22 practicing law¬ 
yers. The General Assembly has one session annually, and meets al¬ 
ternately at Hertford and New Haven. the Lpdi^an name of Hart¬ 
ford was Snckiang. It was first settled by the English in 1635. Tho : 
Asylum for educating the deaf and dumb was opened herein 1817; 
and is the first institution of the kind in America. The instructors con¬ 
sist of a principal and 4 assistants ; the number of pupils about 50. 
Candidates for admission must not be under 9, nor over 30 years of 
age. The whole annual charge to each is 200 dollars. The success of 
this interesting and benevolent institution, and the.improvement of tho 
pupils have been highly gratifying. It has received a donation from i 
the congress of the United States of upwards of 23,000 acres of land. I 


spri ng of some repute , s * 
tchfiejd, Guilford, &c. j 5 





CONNECTICUT. 


li 

The building of the Asylum is a handsome brick edifice, delightfully 
situated on an elevati- none half mile west of the city. 

The Retreat for the Insane, is a splendid edifice, 50 feet by 50, of 4 
stories, with two wings 50 feet by 30, of’3 stories, the whole built of 
stone, and covered with plaister, and white washed, or pajnted, which, 
gives it a neat and elegant appearance. The public have high ex¬ 
pectations of the Utility ofThis institution.'' 

A stone edifice for the arcdiiirxiodation of Washington College, 140 
fefet long, 33 W4de, and 4 stories" high; wns-efected upon a. conspicuous 
elevatipn in the western part bf the city, in 1324. 

New-Haven, city^-sea-port, and semi metropolis of Connecticut, in 
New-Haven -county , 34 SSYV..Hartford,.52 W. Ne'w-London, 76 NE. 

I New York, 134 WSW. Boston, W. 304. ; Lon. 72 56. W. Lat.4K 
18. N. Pop. of the tpwqship in 1790, 4,484 ; in 1800, 5,175 ; in 1810, 

I 6,974 ; in 1820, 8*327 ; Of t\o qity in 1810, 5,772 ; in 1820, 7 1 ,147. The 
city.lies round thehead-of the bay which sets up abUut'4'miles N. from 
Lang-Island Sound, and is situated on a large-and beautiful plain 
which is bordered on .the-north partly by emiiiencbs balled, East and 
West Rock, presenting bold a.nd almost perpendicutafcolumns of nak¬ 
ed rocks, from 35f) fo 370 feet high. Two smlll rivers bound fire city, 
one on tlie east, ; the other on the vVest. ' , 

It was incorporated as a city in* 1 '847 and is three rhileS long fftrfla 
cast lowest, and two broad. It is" regularly laid out', and consists of 
two parts, old and new towns; The old town was laid out in a large 
square, divided into 9 smaller squares, eaoh i2 rods on a side, separa^ 
ted bystreets-4 rods in width. The central squareiS.open, appropria¬ 
ted to public uses, and .is one of the most beautiful in the United 
States. On and around this Spuare, atfe erected the public buildings, 
consisting of a state house,-an. indifferent building of brick, the college 
edifices, and 4 houses of public worship, 2for Congregationalists, very 
I elegant biickbuiidings, 1 for Episcopalians, a very-beautiful Gothic edi- 
1 fice of stone, and 1 for Methodists.. • Besides these Ihe city Contains a 
j jail, an alms house* a custom house, an academy, a library of 1.-500 
volumes^ a ■ museum, 2"barrks, 3 insurance offices, 6 printing offices, 
from 4 of which weekly newspapers, are issued, and two other periodi¬ 
cal publications. • » 

New Haven is one of the most agreeable towns in t.be United States. 
The streets are sandy, but are" kept clean. Thehduses are mostly of 
wood, two stories high, pof-cxpensive or yery elegant, yet having an 
appearance of nea-- els and comfort." Vrt)dng_ the houses recently er¬ 
ected are several handsome odificee of brick and stone. The. public 
square and the pfinri pa lj*t feet's are finely ornamented with trees, audr 
a great part ofjfie bouses "have gardens in the rear filled With fruit 
trees, giving the city a rural' and 'detlghtfiiil-appbaranQ/e'. The burying 
ground in tie nortli west part j»f-t fie'town is an object ofparticuiar in¬ 
terest. It is laid out. in parallelograms, subdivided into family burying 
places, the whole ornamented with rows of trees, The monuments are 
almost wholly of marble. Exquisite taste is ,manifcp@d iatfie wholo 
design, and the appedrance is solemn and impressive". 

The harbor is well defended from winds, but is shalfow.and graon- 
, ,^iv fillino- up with mud. It has.about 7 feet on the bar at low water, 
and the common tides rise 6, and the spnhg tides 7 or_8 feet. » ho 
5 .long wharf is 3,943 feet in length, the longest ip the United States. 
a an 17§5 it was only 20 rods long, yeUthcre-iedess water at its ternv- 









UNITED STATES. 


nation now, than there was in 1765. The maritime commerce of New 
Haven is greater than that of any other town in Connecticut. The 
shipping belonging to this port in 1821, amounted to 10,255 tons. 
Both the foreign and coasting trade are considerable, and packets ply j 
regularly between New-Haven and-New-York. The Indian name of j 
New-Haven was Quinipiack It was first settled by the English in 
1638, and was the capital of the colony of New-Haven, which conlin- j 
ucd distinct from the colony of Connecticut till 1,665. The legislature 
of the state meets alternately here and at Hartford. 

Yale College, founded in 1700, incorporated in 1701, was originally 
placed at Killing worth ; 1707, removed to Saybrook, and in 1717, to 
New-Haven. It is a distinguished and flourishing institution, and 
ranks with the. first literary seminaries in the United States. There 
are eight collegiate buildings, t hajls, 100 feet by 40, of 4 stories, each 
containing 32 rooms for students ; a chapel 50 feet by 40, containing 
also a philosophical chamber; a lyc.eum,. containing lecture rooms, J 
library, &c. ; all of brick; a dining hal! of stone, with a room for 
the minerological cabinet, lecture rooms, <fec. and a chemical laborato- ; 
ry ; and the medical college, a large edifice of stone. The college li 
brary contains about 7,000 volumes, and three libraries belonging to 
societies, contain together 2,5()0 volumes. The philosophical and the 
chemical apparatus are vefy excellent. A cabinet of minerals was de¬ 
posited here in 1811, by George Gibbs, esq. the original cost of which I 
was .£4,000 sterling; the number of specimens 10,000.t The college 
has another cabinet containing about 4,000 specimens. 

The board of trustees consists of the president of the college, 10 cler¬ 
gymen, the governor of the state, lieutenant governor, and the 6 senior 
members of the council. The executive government is entrusted to a 
president, 9 professors, including 4 medical professors, 1 of mathemat¬ 
ics and natural philosophy, l of chemistry, mineralogy, and geology, 

1 of the Hebrew;, Greek, and Latin languages, 1 of divinity, 1 of rhet¬ 
oric and oratory, 1 of materia medica and botany, 1 of the theory and i 
practice of physic, surgery, and obstetrics, 1 of chemistry and pharma¬ 
cy, and I of anatomy and phisiology, and 5 tutors. The number of 
undergraduates in 1821, Was 325; medical students: 73; total 403- 
Total number educated to I82<y 3,478 ; number living 1,884.—The 
lectures iij the medical department commence on tjie 1st of November: 
Commencement is held on ’the 2d Wednesday in September, There I 
are 3 vacations ;'the 1st from commencement, 6 weeks ;-the 2d from ! 
the 2d Wednesday in JapipirW 3 weeks ;'\the3d, from the Wednesday 
immediately preceding the 2d‘ Tuesday'in May, 3 weeks.. 

.O. What is the coniinercq of*Uonnecticut2 

A. It is principally CQnfiH^Wtn- the VVest-bdies-, the smith- 1 
era states,-New York,' mid 'Boston. Oohnecticut has sotne |i 
European trade. . ' ■■■ II 

Q. What are the manufact ures ?. 


A. Cotton and woojjen cloths, snuff, powder, glass, pot¬ 
tery, iron, steel, anchors, hells, hollow ware, paper, leather, 
shoes an 1 hoots, dorks, stoves, tin ware, (extensively) ; car¬ 
riages, of all descriptions, and fire-arms. 


I 


t The cabinet of Mr* Gibb's was purchased by tho trustees in 1825. 
for 20,000 dollars. 









CONNECT FCin\ 


73 


Q. Wljat are the internal improvements ? 

I A. Turnpike companies are extensively incorporated, ami 
! these have placed the roads and bridges in a highly improved 
situation, throughout the state. The turnpike from Hartford 
to New Haven is one of the straitest and best in the United 
States. - 

A canal has beep commenced from the interior of Massa¬ 
chusetts, through Farmington tp New-Huven, which is near¬ 
ly completed. , * 

The citizens of Hartford, and others, are making spirited 
I exertions to remove the obstructions in Connecticut river, 
above the city, in order to facilitate the boat navigation into the 
northern country, by the aid of steam tow-boats. 

Q. What is the state of literat ure ? 

A. The literary institution at New-Haven, is one of the first 
in the United States. Academies are numerous, and primary 
or district schools arfe established by law in every town. 
Each county town is obliged by law to support a grammar 
school. For support of the primary or district schools, the 
state pays about 70,0')0 dollars annually, it being the interest 
on the fund arising from the sale of their western reserve 
land, (called the schoolfund.) Also, 12,000 dollars annually 
from the civil list, all which reduces the price of schooling to 
! about three cents per week, for eachchild. 

In the year 1823, the legislature granted a charter for the 
incorporation of Washington C ollege. The friends of the in¬ 
stitution obtained a handsome sum by subscription, to defray 
the expenses of the necessary buildings, &c. In 1824, the 
college was located at Hartford, and- an elegant stone build- 
i ing erected upon an elevated situation, in the.south-western 
part of the city. An elegant chapel of stone is now erected 
for the accommodation of the institution. A .number of stu- 
j dents were convened, (in 1824^} which formed a class, un¬ 
der a regular course of studies ' and the institution commenc- 
j ed with flattering prospects. The first anniversary com- 
i mencement was held at Hartford* on the first Thursday in Au¬ 
gust, 1827, and ten youn’g gentlemen received the first public 
honors of the college. 

An elegant stone edifice has been erected in the city of 
Middletown, for the accommodation of/the Norwich v (Ver.) 
Military Academy, under the sqperiiitendance of captain Par¬ 
tridge ; and in August, 1825, he removed the same to Mid- ( 
dletown, where it continues to flourish with increased respect 
ability. 




74 


UNITED STATES. 


HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Connecticut ? \ 

A. In the year 1631, the Plymouth council in England, 
granted to the earl of Warwick,-the'district of country, lying 
sOrith of Massachusetts, and west of Piy^nouth. The next 
year kingpharles I. condimed this patent, and the earl of 
Warwick conveyed his -grant to lords .Say .arid Seal, and | 
Brook. • 

In 1633, a party of adventurers from Plymouth.-explored j 
the Connecticut nYer, and'.erricted a .trading Insure at, Wtn(jj , 
sor. On their passage they wer‘6 ane.cy'ed igy*a Dutch fort, 
which stood upon Dutch Point, (so Ctilled) at the confluence 
bf Hartford Mill river. 

In 1633, John Winthrop, son of governor Winthrop,'of 
Massachusetts, - arrived' from England, with a commission ns 
governor of the colony of C.onnectteut, and under his direc¬ 
tion a Mr. Fenwick, with a small -party, came out Irom Bos¬ 
ton and erected a fort, arid commenced a settlement, at the 
mouth of Connecticut river, nnii called it Saybrook. The j 
Dutch sent out a party from'New Netherlands, and attempted 
to dispossess Mr. Fenvyick, but were driven off. in 1634, 
Mr. Fenwjfk made a treaty with the f&quot Indians, and pur¬ 
chased the right of.soil whereon hjs' fort stood, and the right I 
of navigating the Connecticut river. 

In 1635, a colony of about 10Q| persona, fri)m Dorchester, 
Newtown, and Cambridge, ini Mn^snGhusefts crossed the wil¬ 
derness with their flocks and herds ; arid in fourteen days ; 
they arrived at Windsor, and commenced settlements upon 
both sides of the river. Their sufferings the next winter 
were inexpressible. ’ , 

In 1636; another colonj from YVTafertown’ Massachusetts, j 
crossed the'desert in like fp:mne.r, and commenced the. settle¬ 
ments of Wet hers fluid .and 1 .Hartford, under tlie guidance of 
the Rev. Mr. Hooker. / > . 


Questions. When and to whom was granted the first charter of | 
’porihfieticut ?•. • ^ 

When was fhis charter confirmed "by king Charles I. and to whom was )] 
. , it*donypyc$ ? _, • 

When and .by whom was Connecticut river explored, and where did j 
they bred a trading house ? 

When, where arid by, - whom was the next settlement made bv the 1 
English? . 

When and by whom was ike first treaty made, with the Pec-uots ? 

When and where did the first colony from Massachusetts commence a 
settlement, arid under what circumstances ? 







CONNECTICUT. 


• 7,5 


In 1637, the three settlements united and commenced war 
upon the Pequots, to revenge.the murders .they had. commit¬ 
ted at Wethersfield, ;;nd> elsewhere,' and they exterminated 
and disperse^ the whole tribe, with the hid of Massachusetts 
In._163b’, a colony came out from Boston, under the guid¬ 
ance of the Iiev. John Davenport, and commenced the settle- 
ment of Novv* jjpven/J ^ 

'I'be samp'year, .the Settlements at Hartford, Windsor and 
Wethersfield, formed a civil compact for tfje colony of Con¬ 
necticut. . ’ : • ' 

In 1661, the colbny of Connecticut extinguished the Indian 
claims by purchase. • ' ' ' 

In. 1662, king Churl.es II. granted a hew. charter, whiph in¬ 
corporate! the two• colonies of Connecticut-and New-Haven, 
but they did not unite un‘ii 1665. „ . . 

In 1640^more ( fhan 4600ftallies had emigrated frjorn Eng¬ 
land, to -the, wilderness of New England, at. an. expense of 
more'than 302 i.)O,QgO. ■ 

In 1643, Plymouth, M vssjehusetis, Connecticut, and'New- 
Caven, entered into the New Engl a rid confederacy. 

In 1644, the title .©fjords S^y find Seal, and Brook, was 
conveyed to the Pilgrims.; by purchase.,-, for £, i OOO. 

In 1650, commission; rs of the united colonies of Massachu¬ 
setts and Connecticut, .settled their boundary line with the 
colony of New York. •». 

In 1675, co rirri need the noted Indian war,.called-Philip’s 
war, -ts noticed, und£r ti/Y-Ate hu softs. . 

In 1685, king James i l. caused. Writs of QUo Watranto, to 
be Issued against'the «h/ulyrr of Gormec-ticut.. In 1687, Sir 
Edmund A i.iros, governor : getH»Fal'bf ,N(-vv England, arrived at 
Hartford from B os ton, aqd-*tem4n?.ted r the charter -of Connec¬ 
ticut : bir >t w rtrivalely removed by. it c iptaid Wadsworth, 

When/and by whom wAs VVthersfiohi'siiid • I {-artford settled ? 

\Vhen ami for what cause was the ^fe.qviot war, and what was the re¬ 
sult ? ' * v ■ . 

When did Connecticut form her civirepmpact ? •. . 

When and t)j whom w.as 4*e Colony of Nt>\v. Havep settled ? 

When did Connecticut extinguish theTndian claims by purchase i 
When and by what charier were the colonies of New Haven and Con~. 

necticut incorporated, and w'hoir.dui they unite ? ’ •_ > 

What number of families had eijnigratcd to New England in 1640, and 
at w hat expense ? v * 

Which of the colonies of New-England confederated in 1643? W 
When did Philip’s war commence? .. ‘ 

When did king James II. attempt Ip annul the charter of Connecticut, 
and what were the consequences ? 



76 


UNITED STATES. 


and hid in an aged oak, in front of Secretary Wyllys’ house, 
where itremain'ed until the abdication of king James, and the 
accession .of William and Mary, in 1689, when the charter 
was restored. 

In 170f£the General Assembly began to hold their sessions 
alternately, at Hartford and New-Haven, (spring and autumn) 
which continued until the charter of king Charles was super- 
ceded by the constitution of 1818. Since that time, the 
spring sessions are held at Hartford and New Haven alter¬ 
nately. • - 

Connecticut co-operated with New England 'and New-York 
in the numerous Indian wars, and particularly in the old 
French and Indian war of 1754, that ended with the conquest 
of Canada, in. 1760,'•arid the peace of 1763. This closed the 
Indian wars_of N e w;- En gl arid, 

Connecticut entered with zeal into the revolutionary war 
of 1775, and suffered severely upon her seaboard. She was 
among the first of the states to form and.adopt the Federal 
Constitution, and ha's continued a firm friend to the govern¬ 
ment. 

Connecticut early former! her civil; religious, and literary 
institutions; and has heen ufiifofmly celebrated for her men of 
talents, learning and integrity, as well as for her industry, 
good order, and steady habits. 

When did the General Asse trfy of Connecticut commence their semi¬ 
annual sessions at Hartford and New’flaven. an<J when were 
they changed-? • 

What war did Connecticut engage in, in 17 4,- and when was it 
closed ? ' 

What part did*.Connecticut take in the Revolutionary war. and what 
is her general character ; 

ipimrtr Suites. 

KEvv-york. 

Q. What is the situation and extent of New-York ?, 

A. New-York is bounded On the N. by Canada line ; E. by 
Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut ; S by the Atlantic, 
New-Jersey and Pennsylvania; and W. by New-Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, lake Erie, and the river Niagara. It is about 
316 miles long from E. to W. and 304 broad. It contains 
46,085 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. New-York is divided into 53 counties, viz. Albany, Al- 





NEW-YORK. 


77 


leguny, Broome, Catafaugu?,. Cayuga, Chatauque, Chenango, 
Clinton, Columbia, Courtlaixlt, Debrware; Dutchess, Erie, Es¬ 
sex, Franklin, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton - , Herkimer, Jeffer¬ 
son, King’s, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgom- 
ery, New-York, Niagara;, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, 
Otsego, Oswego*, Putnam, (Queens, Renssalaer, Richmond, 
Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie,. Seneca. Steu¬ 
ben, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Sullivan, 'Fiog-a, Tompkins, Ul¬ 
ster, Warren, Washington, and -West Chester ; these. contain 
Gib towns. Its population is 1,372,812. 

Q. What is the climate ?’ _. - ; - ' * 

A. The. climate is severe and cold, in winter, but mild and 
temperate in summer. Ar 

. Q. What nr%the face af the country, sbil, and productions ? 

A^fThe face or’ the country is extensively* level, with gentle 
undulations; the soil is remarkably'fertile ; and the produc¬ 
tions such as are common to all the northern states. 

Q. Which ’are'the principal mountains f 

A. The range of the Allegany., that terrpinatps at ’Cat-skill 
Muff, and the rangnbfthe Blue ridge, that terminates atVVest 
Point, are the only mountains of pote in New-York. 

Q. Whicli are the principal islands? . *. t 

A. Lon^ Island, Yofk Gland, and Staten Island. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Long'fsl&nd f 

A. Long Island lies jeast of New York city ; is 140 miles 
Jong, and-.upon.an aveYage 10 broad. It contains 3counties, 
19 towns, and a pophl rtion of about-.5CL,0(lb. The, north side 
is hilly, and the south side is flat and sandy. It produces all 
the various hinds of grairVof the southern anil rrflmile states. 

Q'. What are the»situation and extent of Staten Island ? * ", 

•A. Staten Island lies '9 miles..so*ith-west-New-York city ; 
is M.mdes long and fl broad, pud Terms'one county . Populn- 
5.347. Li is pleasantly situated ; but the soil is general¬ 
ly rough and hslly, except upon the -.south ’side, where it is 
level and fertile. Thfe'jiuafaritine ground, lot the port of N. 

York, is upon this island. 

Q. What arc the minerals of New York ? ^ , 

A. Silver, copper, iron, lead, asbestos-, isinglass, ^nd crys¬ 
tals. . ! w , / 

Q. Which are the mineral springs . 5 ? 

A. B dlstou, Saratpiafj and New Lebanon ; all of which - 
have become places of gqgat resort, from all parts of the Uni¬ 
ted States. 

Q. Which are the principal lakes ? 

A. Lakes Ontario and George, and the eastern section #1 









UNITED STATES. 


78 

lake Erit ; also Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and four 1 
or five others in the interior. 

Q. Which are the harbors andjstraits ? ' , j 

A. New-York and Sackets harbors ; the strait of Hurl- 

gate. 

.. Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Hudson, .Mohawk, Genesee, Oswegatchie, Grass, j 

Serenac, and Black. (See the atlas.) . 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. N w-York, the capital Albany, thereat of government, 
and Troy, Hudson, and Schenectady-, are all incorporated 
cities. - Utica, Cayuga, Batavia, Canandaigua, Geneva, Au- , 
burn r Rochester,Buffalo, and New-Amsterdam, in the western 
counties ; and Lansingburgh, Waterford, Livingston, Kings¬ 
ton, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, and - Brooklyn/in-theN^istern 

section, are all handsome towns. » 

New-York, city, and .sea-port town, N. Y. on S. end Manhattan or 
Ne»;-York island, at the confluence of Hudson and East rivers ; 90 
NE. Philadelphia, 160 S. Albany, 210 SW. Boston, W. 227. Lon. 74. 

1 . W. Lat. 40.43. N. Pop', in 1697, 4302in 1731, 8,628 ; in 1756, 
10,381: in 1771, 21,863 ; in 1786, 23,614 ; in 1790,33,131 ; in 1800, 
60,489 ; in-J 810, 96,373 ; in 1820, J 23,706. t 

‘ The city and county of New-York'are of the same extent, and com- j 
prise the whole of New-York island, which is 14 1-2 miles long, and 
from half 40 2 miles broad. The compact par* extenda along the Hud- i 
son-, about 2 miles, and. from the 43 W. corner of the Battery along East 
river, nearly .4 miles ; the breadth tfarics’fronj half to nearly 2 miles, 
and the circuit is'about 8 . The city fs -divided into 10 wards, one of | 
which comprises all the northern part of the island, with a population | 
in 1820, of 11,162. c 

New York harbox'is a large bay, which spieads 9 miles to the S. of ) 
the city, and is from l 1-2 to 5 1 2 miles broad. It receives the Hud- ; 
son in the N., East rivpr in the 'NE, and has Long-Island E., Staten I 
Island and New-Jersey W. and communicates with Newark bay,'on J 
the N. side ' Hy the Kills, and 'Witl\ the Atlantic S. by the Narrows, j 
This bay embosoms several small islands, as Governor's island, IWi 
low’s island, and Ellis’s island, which arc near the city, and on eacrroi 
which are fortifications. Tile currents her e are very rapid and strong, 1 
and the harbor is seldom obstructed. by ice, and has' not been frozen | 
over since 1780.- It has every where sufficient depth of wafer for the 
largest vessels, where they may lie wsllsecuiqjd from wind and storms. ! 
New-York is the first Commercial city in America, and one of the first 
in the world ; it is admirably situated for trade, being at the mouth of ; 
a noble river, with an excellent harbor, and having an extensive, pop- ! 
ulous, and fertile back country. It imports most of the goods consum¬ 
ed between the Connecticut and the Raritan, and between the ocean j 
and the lakes. The shipping owned here in 1816, amounted to 299,617 i 

t The number of houses now annually erected in New-York, ex- ' 
coeds 3,000. 







NEW-YORK. 


79 


tons ; in 182L 231,215 tons. The duties on imports in 1821, amount¬ 
ed to 7,233,682 dollars*- 

Among the public buildings and institutions of this city, are the city * 
hall, a custom house, a Jxosp'tal, an alms-house, a penitentiary, *an oi- 
phan asylum, a jail, a biidewell, a state' prison, an arsenal, a theatre, a 
museum, a eircus, a university, an Episcopal theological seminary, an 
institution for the education of tk^^jaf and dumb, tkq American bible 
society, 10 ma'rkct houses, 11 ba.i with a capital of 13,900,000 dol¬ 
lars^! insurance offices, with a capital of 10,0 0,*. 00 doHars ; a num¬ 
ber of humane and benevolent societies, and seventy-seven houses of 
public Worship.; 15 for Episcopalians, 11 for Presbyterians* 11 for 
Methodist,s, 9 for Dijtch Reformed-* G for Baptists, 5 for Associate Re¬ 
formed, 4 for Independent, 3. for. Quakers, 2 for Raman Catholics, 1 
for. Lutherans, 1 for Unitarians, 1 lor Moravians, f for Swecjenborgi- 
ans, 1 for Universalists, 1 for Welsh,.1 for Mariners, 1'State Prison 
clntpel, 1 for St. Matthew's, 1 British consul’a church, and 1 Jews’ 
Synagogue. 9 

The public buildings of-New-York<ire superior in splendor and mag¬ 
nificence,.to those of any *othe^ city in the United States; among 
these, the city liajl is pre-eminent, and is a most magnificent edifice. 
It is situated at the head of the Park,-near Broadway, and is built of 
whitb marble,216 feet in length, 102 in breadth, 51 highland includ¬ 
ing the attic storyl 65; and .cost upwards'of 500,000 dollars. St. 
John's, St. Paul's, Trinity churph, Grace church, the Roman Catholic 
cathedral, and several other eh.urches, are very spacious and elegant ; 
a number of trhe churches are ornamented with steeples. The New- 
York Hospital includes-tJie,Hospital for the reception of the sick and 
disabled, the Lunatic Asylum, and the Lying-in Hospital. It is a well 
regulated establishment, and has a valuable, litkary.of about 3 or 4,000 
volumes. The stateprjson is situated on E. bank of the Hudson, one 
and a half-miles from the city hall; it is builtoif free- stone, having the 
principal front on Washington street ; 204 feet, in length, on its prin¬ 
cipal front, and 2O0in depth on the wings. It is incjlosed by a wall of 
stone from 14 to 23 feet high) Within the yard. therTis a brick build¬ 
ing of«200 feet by 20, of-two stories, containing the work shops. The 
alms house is situated at Bellevue, ory the E. river, two miles from the 
city hall. The principal building is of stone, 320 feet by 50, of three 
stories. In the rear of-tfiis, is the work house, which is 200 feet by 2.5. 
The penitentiary is in the same mcloshre, and is a s.tojie ouilding, 150 
feet by 50, oftlwee stories. The city hotel is a magnificent brick edi¬ 
fice, of five stories, containing 78 rooms. r l ho New-York Society li¬ 
brary contains about i,5,000 yoluffi.es. In 1517, there were published 
7 daily newspapers-; 5 twice‘a week, (these are issued from the same 
offices as the daily papers’-;) and 5 once a week. -Thenumberyjf law¬ 
yers in the city, in U>18,-JR 7 as 323 ; and in tEje-state, 1,2-71. 

Many of thfc streets near the harbor are crooked and narrow, but 
those whleh have been recently formed", are straight and spacious. 
The principal one is Broadway, which rufis in a straight line,"through 
the centre oft* city, over the most elevated ground, and nearly equi¬ 
distant from the two rivers'; it is 3 miles long, and 80 feet wide, gen¬ 
erally well built, and a parP of it is very splendid. The other most im¬ 
portant streets are Wall street, Pearl street, Greenwich street, Water 
street, and the Bowery. Wall street is an elegant street running 
from Broadway to east river. On this street are situated the custom 





ao united states. 

house,banks, and instance offices, and it is a place of immense busi¬ 
ness. Pearl street is the principal mercantile mart of the city. The 
* Bat‘cry is a beautiful public walk, on the southefn-extremity of the 
island, and contains several acres. The Park is a .handsome common, 
in front of the city hall, containing 6'acres. The houses were former¬ 
ly built of wood, and a great part of them made but a mean appear¬ 
ance, but the modern houses arjya.ll of brick, mostly 3 stories high, 
generally well built, and many afflinra elegant. Netv-York, together 
with the'surrounding objects, presents a magnificent and beautiful 
view, on approaching it through the Narrows. It, is in a -flourishing 
state', and as fast increasing in population and improvements. 

The New-York' Institution is a large bricit edific^, 260 .feet by 44, 
with two projections in front, 15 feet by 20.’ This building stands in 
the rear of the City Hall, and was formerly used for the alms-house, 
but itsmame has-been changed to,that of the New York Institution ; 
and it is now oedupied by-the Literary and Philosophical Society ; the 
Historical Society, which has a library of about 4,000 volumes ; the 
American Academy of Fine Arts, whicl^has a valuable collection of 
paintings, &c.; the New York Lyceum of Natural History, which lias 
valuable scientific Cplleetions; and the American Museulh, an exten¬ 
sive collection of curiosities. • 

The University ofNew-York comprises all the colleges in the state : 
it is under the control of regents who fill their own vacancies, and 
have the appointment of the presidents and professors, except those of 
Columbia college. ,• Columbia college Xvas^foupded in 1754, and was 
called King’s college till* 1787/. it*received its prelent riarfie. It 
is situated in the central part of the'cityy-cin’a square comprising sev¬ 
eral acres, enciosedby an*iroh railing. The- building is-of stone, three 
‘stories'high above a basement,' and' 280 feet in length, containing a 
chaptel, library, and lecture rooms ;>.and dwelling houses for the presi- ii 
dent apd professors. The students board and lodge w-rth their parents, 
or in families in the-eity. r P1ie legislative government is invested in 24 
trustaes; the ejjjkulive, ip a president anci'o professoss, 1 of mathemat¬ 
ics, 1 of moral philosophy, rhetoric.and belles lfetfres, 1 of Greek and 
Latin lffbguagesyalsu an adjunct profeisor of 1 the same, and liof nat¬ 
ural philosophy and chemistry.- .The college has a valuable philosoph- 
ical apparatus, amj a library of 4 or b<000 volumes, The number of j 
students,in-1822,.-was 138. Comlnenceihent isi Held on' the 1st Tues¬ 
day in August. • After which, ther’e is a vacation till the first Monday 
in October. 

The College of Physicians and Surgeons, is'a respectable and flour¬ 
ishing institution. Tie Medical college js a lasge and - handsome brick 
edifice, and contains 5n.anatomical museum, a chemical laboratory, a 
miner® logical cabinet,&iu| a hrus&urn of natural-hi story all well furn¬ 
ished ; and connected with tile institution there is a large botanic gar¬ 
den. In the ;ncdiep.l department, there are-9 professors, 1 of anatomy, 

1 of,surgery, 1 of the theory end practice of physic, 1 of materia medi- j 
ca, 1 of oliemistryy 1 of obstetrics, 1 ofnatural hisiory^comprehending 
botany anckminerr logy< 1 of medical jurisprudence, and a chemical lec ¬ 
turer. The number of medical students, in 1821, was upwards of 
200. Thelectures commence early m November, and close the last of 
February.- 

Albany, city, Albany co. N. Y. on W. bank of the Hudson ; 6 S. 1 
Troy, 15 SE. Schenectady, 30 N. Hudson, 160 N. New-York, 164 W. 




NEW-YORK. 


81 


by N. Boston, 230 S. Montreal, W. 356. Lon. 73.32. W. Lat. 42. 
39. N Pop. in 1797, 6.021 ; in 1810, 9^356; in 1300, 12,630. It ex¬ 
tends'about two mHes from N. to S. o i the rivet, and in the widest 
part above a mile from E. to \V. 

Albany, is the. seat of the state governments and in point of popula¬ 
tion, wealth, and trade, the second city in New York. It contains a 
stone state house, a city hail, a jail, an alms-house, a state arsenal’, 2 
market houses, 4 banks, a museum, an acaderrt} 7 , a public'library con¬ 
taining about 4,< 00 volumes, add eleven houses’ for public wort!hip T 3 
for Presbyterians,.2 for t)*teh Reformed, 1 for Lpiscepaliuhs, 1 fur 
Lutherans, 1 for Roman ,Catholics, LfortSeoedevs, 1 tor Baptists, and 
1 for Methodists. The Albany Academy H^a principal, two assist¬ 
ants, and, a mut 130 puph.s*' T he building is* a very sjracious and ele¬ 
gant edifice, built of red free stone. The slate house, Several of the 
churches, some of the other'-public buildings, and many of the private 
houses, display much elegance and tasjie. A large proportion of the 
houses are of brick. The appearance of the city, with regard to build¬ 
ings, both public and private, and various-accommodations, has been 
greatly improved within the last fifteen’years. 

Albany lru« a pleasant aud Iwralthy situation, near the beau of the 
tide waters, on one of the finest ri vers in tlrg wnxjd, which is navigable 
as far as the c-ity, for sloops of’, CQ'tons. The great western canal, 
which unites the Hudson with,lake Erie,.commences berth T he sur¬ 
rounding country is fertile and populous. The exports consist of 
wheat, other kinds of. grain, and vat ions, articles of produce. The 
manufactories' are consxleradde, consisting of Vrun, tobacco, hats, can¬ 
dles, beer, rum, &c. In 18J-8,Tour newspapers were published here, 
one daily and thfee twice a week. v -> 

Q. What.is the" commerce of NeW-Yerk ? 

A. The foreign ,uul ihternal eomnvei'ce oi this*state claims 
the first rank in the Union. N evv-Ym k is th.e first commer¬ 
cial city in America. The efforts ot the state ol New-Y oik 
m 1820, amounted to Its, 1;6H,244dollars, 

Q* What is, the .state of manufactures :? 

A. Domestic manuf.icLufe^ are very general, and the man¬ 
ufacture- ofglass, iron, paper, fyc. are very extensive. 

Q. What was their estimated amount in 1810? 

A. More than 1 2,OtX};.u0t) of dolkirs, and rapidly increas¬ 
ing. * ’. /. . ,' t . . 

Q. What are the internal improvements? . . 

A. The northern canal, th.itconnects the Hudson with lak.e 
'Champlain, extends from Whitehall to tort Edward, 22 mites ; 
a canal upon the western bank of the Hudson, commences near 
fort Edward, and extends to Waterford, 40 miles, total extent 
C2 miles. The great western canal that, extends from Albany 
to Buffalo, on lake Erie, more than 300 miles ; (see inland nav¬ 
igation, page 18.) The great western turnpike road, that 
extends from Albany to Niagara, about 300 miles ; also, nu¬ 
merous other turnpike roads, throughout the interior of the 
state. 






82 


UNITED STATES. 

Q. What is thp state of literature - 

A. Colombia, Union, and ILmril tom colleges, are respecta- g 
bl'e institutions ; to Columbia college' is attached a flourishing 
medical Thstitution. They, have. a 'theological, institution at 
Auburn, and sovrn! i’our-issHing academies. Literature is j 
rising and, improvmg under the patronage of their flrst char- 
rictei*^ * .. ’ - *.■ ' •.-/*" /";*?/ ‘ I 

Q *\y^at are the natural fcuno^iiies ? 

A. Tim c itoract.oi' Nir:g-'.ra i T i (.-rtemod the grandest object fj 
of the kind in Lh^/woHd. Th^.clfsfance’ofdhe falls above lake 
Ontario is 14 miles, and belowdake Erie2$mtles on l^e Amer¬ 
ican side, 2d oii the Canada side. * At tft.e distance of 1 3-d of 
a mile above thre falls, the river begins" toMescend' with a rapid 
and powerful current, ^ At -the fajis it turns with a right angle 
to the 'north-east, anij-is ■suddetdy'&onlrnfcted m width, from 
3 to 3'-4 of a mile. Below the d.*Hs 'the river is only about' 
one half mile wide, ib'nt .its depth is said do elrceefd 300 feet. 
The precipice over which-the cataract desoends, is formed 
by* the brow ,of a va.^t bed of Time-sf one and the perpendic¬ 

ular de^cerjt,. according to rnajcCr Prescptf’s-survey, is 131 feet. 
The descentds perpendicular, except that the rocks are hol¬ 
lowed underneath the. surface, particularly on the western I 
side. The catafnct'is divided- into two parts by Goat or Iris 
island, which .occupies:one fifth o-r Mxthtof the whole, breadth, f 
The principal, channel is on .the waster#,*sid;e,-tihd is called \ 
the IlorserShoo fall, from its s-hnpey Thai eastern channel is || 
divided by another little islanrD The? descent oh the eastern j 
side'is greater by a. few feeVtlinn 9 Q/the other, bul the water . i 
is more shallow. The noise of these fills-is-frequently heard jj 
at York, 50-mile's -distant p anil the cloud of vapour thrown, : 
is seen 70 mile?. I’ho-'de^c^'nt-within ten. miles is about 300 I 
feet, and from lake Erie to lake '^Ontario, 3^9 feet. The 1 
quantity of water dischartgeV] in afi'h.our, is computed by Dr. 3 
Dwight, at 102.,'93.750-tons. f The spray ivhioh rises from •; 
the water, serves a§ a nir/liutU for fprming by the sun’s rays J 
(he most brilj'iant rainbows. 

Q. What are the-other natural* ouri-dsitjfs Of this state ? 

A. The Cohoes fills,, near the month of the Mohawk riv- i 
er, 30 feet -perpendicular. -Trenton falls, near Utica, that 
descend over several pitches; more than 300 feet, and pass 
through a dark and. intricate- gleq, more than two miles in j 
length, and more than 100 feet deep. A boiling spring, in the | 
waters of lake Erie, 20 rods from the shore, which is inflam- | 
nibble, and termed either spring. A subterraneous rapid, that 







NEW-YORK. 


63 

passes under the hast*, of a hill, about 70 yards. And a split 
rock upon the western shore of lake Champlain, in extent 
about half an acre, that has been divided from the original 
promontory, to the distance of about 60 feet.. 

Q. What are the. antiquities of this qtate ?, - , 

A. The ruins of several ancient fortifications, regularly 
built, and now overgrown with hoao timber. One of which 
contains a \vqJ 1 *14 feet deep, regularly stoned., 

Q. What Indians reside-pi this state ?. 

' A. The re mu ns" of the Irequ-pis or Six ^vatjons, about 
6,000, who dwell tipon lJ)c/borders of Qn&.ftJa lake. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What if? the history of Yorlc ? . • 

A. New-York was discov ered by captain Henry Hudson, in 
the^year lGORj antl in 1614,'tire ' statesmen oral of Holland 
granted a patdHtto a ebr^parry r 0f Low Dutch, for an exclusive 
trade Upon Hyttedp's rivet', onY(Hey imilt a fort upon Man¬ 
hattan, or York island, and ar>6thereat Albany, to prptect their 
trade, which. commenced. (Jie settlement of what was then 
called New Net^ejlgpcls. ^ 

In August,-1664, the English foot possession ofNew-Neth- 
erlands, and king Charles II. iheVudolUt in his patent to his 
brother, the .Duke of York,. >vho ajftx, d bis name to the city 
and colony^ Qf Net?-York. , In 1667, this colony was confirm¬ 
ed to the English bv the.p^ace bf Breda- " ' ' 

In *1673, the Dutch agaiirTpok possession of the colony ; 
but it was restored to the English the \uex}. year, by the peace 
of Westminster/ • 

At this peace, the English exchanged-Surinam, in South 
America, for the Dutch colony of New-Netherlands* which 
removed all further controversyab-o^N-ow-York.. ; 

- In 1674, Sir Edmpnd Andros,*wh.c» has been noticed under 
Massachusetts, became governor ^t’N^w’-Yo,rk. 

The colony of N w York’begpn early to sulferTrom the’In- 
dian wars, which lechher to secure the friendship, and alliance 
of the Five Nations', or Iroquois. bvv;t-ir/;iy at Albany, m 
-- : -rn- ' ---_- i --- 

Questions.-—W hen and by whuaii was thq colony of Nqv£ fork dis<* 
covered and settled, and by what name? ' 

When was N. Netherlands taken by the English, why was the name 
changed, and when was it confirmed to the English ? 
tVlien did the Dutch again possess themselves of .New-Y.ork ; when 
was it restored, and by what exchange ? 

■When and by what treaty did Now York settle, a peace with the Iro¬ 
quois Inc$&ns ? , _ 






84 


UNITED STATES. 


1684, that relieved her from many of the distresses which 
awaited the eastern colonies in New England. 

New York became the theatre of military operations j 
through the seven years war, known by the name of the old 
French and Indian war* until the French were dispossessed of 
Canada, in 1760. 

New York took an active part in resisting the oppressive , 
measures of British .taxation, that led to the Revolutionary 
war. She entered with spirit and firmness into the Revolu¬ 
tion in 1775, and in 1776 becarce the theatre of war, until the 
peace.of 1783. She W'as among the'first in framing and adopt¬ 
ing the Federal Constitution, and New-York city became the 
seat of the Federal government, during the first year of its op¬ 
eration. # - • 

New York has evpr continued afirm supporter of the liber 
ties of the nation, and has pursued a wise anti dignified policy, 
in improving her civil, religious, literary, commercial and ag¬ 
ricultural interests. The rapid increase of the settlement and 
population of New York, together with her foreign and inter¬ 
nal trade, surpass those of any,other state in the Union. 

The canals of New York do honor to herself and the nation. 

When and in what war was New-York the theatre of military opera¬ 
tions ? v J 

What part djd Nfew-York take itl resisting the oppressive measures of' 
Great Britain, and what pi^rt did ^he act ia the Revolutionary 
war ? , 

What part did she take in regard to the Federal-Constitution an*d gov¬ 
ernment, and what is now her general character ? 

‘ V ■ V • ^ 

NEW JERSEY. 

Q. What are the situation and,extent ofNew-Jersey r 

A. New-Jersey is bounded on the N,. by New-York ; E. 
by Hudson rivet and the Atlantic OGean ; S by Delaware bay ; 
and W. by Pennsylvania. It rs hbout 160 miles long, and 50 
broad. It contains about 8,OOP square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided irxto thirteen comities, viz. Sussex, Bergen, 
Morris* Essex, Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, ; 
Burlingtdn, Gloucester,-Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May ; ! 
these contain i 16 towns. Population is 277,575, 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The southern section is level, sandy, and barren ; the 
interior is undulating and mountainous, as far as it is connect¬ 
ed with the Allegany range. 






NEW-JERSEY. 


§5 


Q. What is the climate ? 

A. The climate is considerably milder than in New-York 
and New-England. 

Q. What are the productions ? 

A. The same as New-York. The cider produced in tliis 
| state, particularly at Newark, is the best in the world, 

Q. What are its minerals? 

A. Copper, iron, lead, coal, plaster of Paris, with valuable 
1 slate and stone mines. 

Q. Which are the mineral springs ? 

A. There is ope cold spring in Morris county, and another 
in Hunterdon county ; both are in repute. 

Q. Which are the principal bays? 

A i There arc; several in New-Jersey, the chief of which is 
Arthur Kail, or Newark bay, that embosoms Staten Island. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The rivers are Delaware, Raritan, Hackensack, and 
| Passaic, noted for its falls of It feet. 

Q. Which are the chief towns'? 

A. The chief towns .of New-Jersey, are Trenton, at the 
head of sloop navigation, on the Delaware; Burlington, Perth 
Amboy, and Brunswick, are all incorporated cities. Prince¬ 
ton and Elizabethtown, ar^ very flourishing towns. 

Trenton, the metropolis of N. J. in Hunterdon co. on E. bank of 
1 the Delaware, opposite to the falls ; 10 SW. Princeton, 26 SW. New- 
I Brunswick, 30 NE. Philadelphia, 60 SW. New-York, W. 167. Lon. 

75. 48. W. Lat. 40. 13. N. Pop. in 1810, 3,003 ; in 1820, 3,942. It 
I is a handsome and flourishing town, pleasantly situated, and incorpor- 
f ated with city privileges. It contains a handsome state house, a state 
prison, a market house, a court house, 2 banks, an academy, 2 large 
cotton manufactories, and four houses of public worship ; 1 for Epis- 
1 copalians, 1 for Presbyterians, 1 for Methodists, and 1 for Friends ; 
| and between the city and Lamberton, which joins it on the south, 
there are two other houses of worship, 1 for Roman Catholics, and 1 
for Baptists. The river is navigable as far as this place for sloops ; 
but above the falls it is not navigable, except for boats, which carry 
from 500 to 1000 bushels of wheat. At the foot of the falls there is an 
elegant covered bridge across the river. 

Q. What is the commerce of NeW-Jersey ? 

A. New-Jersey has no seap&rt, and of course her foreign 
commerce is conducted through the cities of New-York and 
Philadelphia. 

Q. What are the manufactures ? 

A. The manufactures of New-Jersey are numerous and im¬ 
portant ; cotton, duck, pig iron, bar and sheet iron, nails, 
nail rods, hollow ware, shoes, paper, powder, flour, &c. in 
great quantities. Trenton, Newark and Patterson, are the 
principal manufacturing towns. Domestic manufactures are 
general through the state. 

8 





86 


UNITED STATES. 


Q. What are the natural curiosities ? 

A. A remarkable cave in a rock of sandstone, 30.feet by 13, 
containing three arched rooms, elevated about five feet, and 
supported upon a sandy base. Also, several wells on a ridge 
of hills, 40 1 miles from the sea, that ebb and flow regularly 
with the tide about six feet. Also, the falls of the Passaic, at 
Patterson. 72 feet perpendicular, which are much admired. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. The College and Theological Seminary, at Princeton, 
are flourishing <ind respectable- Institutions. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of New-Jersey ? 

A. New-Jersey was settled by a company from NeW-Eng* 
land and Long-island, under a grant from the Duke of York, 
to lord Berkeley and sirGeorge Carteret, in 166-4.1 Also, an 
emigration from Scotland, came into New-Jersey about the 
same time. T he first settlements commenced at Elizabeth¬ 
town, Newark, Middletown and Shrewsbury. In 1660 , Phil¬ 
ip Carteret, brother to Sir George, w-as appointed governor, 
and resided at Elizabethtown. The government was estab¬ 
lished upon the free-representative plan of New-England, and 
flourished, until the conquest of the Dutch-, in 1673. This 
gave a check to the prosperity of New-Jersey, for a long 
time, la 1676, the proprietors disagreed about their claims, 
and finally divided the state into two equal part's, called East 
and West Jersey ; this rather increased than diminished the 
controversy, and they finally resigned their government to 
the crown of England, (under queen Ann,) 1702. 

The government of New-Jersey continued under the crown 
down to the. American revolution, when, she commenced an 
independent government, 

New-Jersey became the theatre of war, in 1776, and was 
overrun by the enemy. The battle of Trenton, December 

Questions.— hen, by whom, jmd under what grant was the colo¬ 
ny of New-Jersey settled ? - 

Where were the first-settlements ma.de, and who was the first gov¬ 
ernor ? 

When was this colony taken by the Dutch ? when divided into two 
colonies ?- when and under what reign was it restored to 'the 
crown ? 

When did New Jersey commence an independent government ? 

t It was called New-Jersey, in allusion -to the Isle of Jersey, (Enc- 
lani) from whence the Carteret family sprang. 





PENNSYLVANIA. 


87 


•25th, so signal for the defeat of the British, will ever be me- 
tnorable in the annals t)f New-Jers&y. 

In the summer of 1-778, Sir Henrv Clinton retreated with 
the British army, from Philadelphia, through New-Jersey, 
on his way to New-Y’ork. The battle of Monmouth will ever 
signalize this retreat, (June 28.) 

This state united cordially in framing and-adopting the Fed¬ 
eral Constitution, and has continued a firm friend to the gov¬ 
ernment. 


When did she become the theatre of war, and by what memorable bat¬ 
tle was she relieved from the ravages of the enemy ? 

When did the British army retreat through New Jersey, and what bat¬ 
tle was then fought ? ' •• 

What is the general characterof New-Jersey in relation to the Union r 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

Q„ What are the situation apd extent of Pennsylvania ? 

A. Pennsylvania is borunde'd on the N. by New-York and 
lake Erie ; E. by Delaware river ; S. by Virginia, M irylnnd 
and Delaware'; and VV. by Virginia and Ohio, it is 307 miles 
long, and 180 broad. It contains 44.000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civii divisions and population ? ■ , 

A. Pennsylvania is divided mio b 1 counties, viz. Adams, 
Allegany, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Bradford, 
Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Chester, Clearfield. Colum¬ 
bia, Crawford, Cumberland. Dauphin, Delaware, Er : e, Fay¬ 
ette, Franklin, Greene. Huntingdon,Indiana, Jefferson, Lan¬ 
caster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne Lycoming, M’Kean, Mer¬ 
cer, Mifflin, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, 
Perry, Philadelphia, Potter, Pike, Schuylkill, Somerset, Sus- 
quehannah, Tioga, Union,. Venango, Warren,- Washington, 
Wayne, Westmorland and York ; these contain 740 town¬ 
ships. Population about 1,04.0,398. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. It is mild and salubrious ; but subject to sudden chan- 
ges. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil, &c, ? 

A. The eastern part is level, and the western part is brok¬ 
en by the ridges of the Allegany. Tliesoil is generally good 

and well cultivated. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. The best in the Union. 

Q. What are the minerals? 

A. Copper, lead, iron, alum, marble, limestone, and coal. 








88 


UNITED STATES. 


<n great abundance. An extensive vein of coal runs in a 
north-eastern and south-western direction, across the state. 

Q. What are the mineral springs ? 

A. The most noted are at Bedford and York. 

Q. Which are its principal rivers? 

A. The principal rivers of Pennsylvania, are Delaware. 
Schuylkill, Susque^annah, Allegany and Lehigh. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Philadelphia is the capital : Harrisburg is the seat of 
government: Lancaster and Pittsburg,f are large manufactur¬ 
ing tovvns. Easton, Wilkesbarre, Carlisle, Bedford and Erie, 
are handsome towns, and places of very considerable trade. 

Philadelphia, city, and port of entry, Pennsylvania, in a county of 
the same name, on W. hank of the Delaware, 90 SW, New-York, 100 
NE. Baltimore, 300 SW. Boston, W. 137. Loh. 75. 10. W. Lat. 39. 
57. N. Pop. of the city and liberties, in 1790, 43.'525 ; in 1802, 62.000 ; 
in 1810, 92,247; in 1820,108,116. In 1810, there were within the 
city and suburbs, 22,764 buildings of all kinds, for residence, business, 
worship, Sec. 

It is 126 miles from the Atlantic,.by the course of the river and bay, 
and is situated on the narrowest part of an isthmus between the Dela¬ 
ware and the Schuylkill rivers, about six miles above their confluence. 
The situation is very pleasant and healthy. It was originally laid out 
by William Penn, in 1683. The ground plat of the'-city, distinct from 
the liberties, is an oblong, about one mile from N. to S. dnd two from 
E. to W. But the buildings now occupy a space upwards of three 
miles long from N. to S. and exfend from the Delaware to the Schuyl¬ 
kill. There were originally nine' streets extending frorp one river to 
the other, intersected at right angles by 23 running north and south. 
The number of squares in the original plan, was 184, but as several of 
these have been intersected by new, streets, their number now amounts 
to 304 ; and several of these are again intersected by lanes and al¬ 
leys Broad street is 113feet wide ; High or Market street, 100; Mul¬ 
berry street, 60 ; and the other streets, in the original plan, 50 feet 
wide. The greatest part of the city .s well paved with stones in the 
middle, with neat side walks of brick; furnished with common sewers 
and gutters, so that the streets are in general kept very clean. 

The public buildings are the state house and offices, two city court 
houses, a county house, a state penitentiary, a- bridewell ot jail, a uni¬ 
versity, the Philosophical Society’s hull', the hall for the Academy of 
Natural Sciences, the Washington hall, a public library, a hospital, the 
Friends dims house, three dispensaries, an dlms-house, two dramatic 
theatres, a medical theatre,- a laboratory, an amphitheatre, a masonic 
hall, a large custom house, a new hanking house for the U. S. hank, 10 
incorporated banks, and fifty eight houses of public worship ; 9 for 
General Assembly Presbyterians, 2 for Associate Reformed Presbyte¬ 
rians, 2 for Dutch Reformed Presbyterians, 2 for Reformed Presbyte- 

f Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Lancaster, are incorporated cities; 
Pittsburg is at the head of the river Ohio, and possesses the highest 
commercial advantages of any inldnd town in, America,. 



PENNSYLVANIA. 


89 


rians, 1 for Associate Presbyterians, 1 for German Presbyterians, 1 L 
for Methodists, 6 for Episcopalians, 6 for Friends; 5 for Baptists, 4 for 
Roman Catholics, 2 for German Lutherans, 1 for English Lutherans, 
l for Swedes, 1 for Moravians, l for Universalists, I for Unitarians, 
1 for Dunkers, a New Jerusalem church, and n Jews’ synagogue. 

Several of the churehesare very spacious and elegant edifices. Each, 
of the Episcopal, the German, ami two of the Roman Catholic church¬ 
es, are furnished with organs. The state houjse was erected in 1753, 
and its architecture is much admired. The,declaration of the Ameri¬ 
can Independence was adopted, and sighed in this building. The 
apartments ip the lower story are appropriated to the holding of the 
courts, the upper Story is used as a museum, and. contains the largest 
collection of curiosities in America. Adjoining to it is an enclosed 
square, which i? .ornamented with rows of trees, and forma a pleasant 
public walk. In tlie'plat of the city, are four squares, reserved by the 
founder for the recreation of the inhabitants ; the two easternmost 
are very elegant. The Bank of Pennsylvania is a remarkably ele¬ 
gant edifice of marble. The houses of the city arc generally construct¬ 
ed of brick, without much ornamenl, but have a striking appearance 
of convenience, comfort, neatness and opulence. 

The city contains seven different markets, the principal of which is 
in Market or High-street, and extend? from the Delaware through 
eight squares. The market houses are well supplied with various 
provisions, which are exposed to sale daily, and most, abundantly ev¬ 
ery Wednesday and Saturday, The United States bunk is in this 
city ; and here is the mint of the United States, in which the national 
money is coined. 

Philadelphia exceeds'all other towns in the United States, in the va¬ 
riety, extent, and excelleiqce of its manufactures. In 1810, the city 
and county contained eight cotton manufactories* twenty nail manu¬ 
factories; eighteen distilleries, seventeen breweries, fifty-nine tanner¬ 
ies, seven paper mills, fifteen rope walks, three glass works, fourteen 
marble yards, fifty-four printing offices, anchnumerous other manufac¬ 
turing establishments. The total amount of the manufactures of the 
city and county, in 1810, was valued at 16,103,869 dollars. Printing 
is carried on here more extensively than in any other place in Ameri¬ 
ca. There are nine daily newspapers, two semi-weekly, and four 
weekly. This city is celebrated for its excellent porter brewery. 

Philadelphia is a place of great opblence, and its trade is extensive 
and flourishing. Turnpike roads, op the best construction, diverge 
from it in various directions. Over the Delaware, Schuylkill, and Sus- 
quehannah, in the approaches to the city, there are ten excellent bridg¬ 
es. The Delaware is navigable to this place for a 74 gun ship, and for 
sloops to Trenton. < he shipping belonging to this port, in 1816, 
amounted to 101,830 tons , in. 1821, to 83,225 tons. The environs of 
the city are pleasant and well cultivated. 

The literary atid benevolent institutions are numerous, and highly 
honorable to the inhabitants. The Philadelphia library originated 
with Dr. Franklin, and was incorporated in 1742. The building be¬ 
longing tq the library company, is an elegant edifice, and in its front is 
a statue of Dr. Franklin, of white marble. It contains a museum, a 
apparatus, the Philadelphia library, and the Loganian* 
together, have about 22,000 volumes. The American 
8 * 


philosophical 
library, which 




UNITED STATUS. 


$Q 

Philosophical Society was established here in 1769, and has a library 
of 4,000 volumes. The Philadelphia Society for promoting agricul¬ 
ture, was instituted in 1785, and has a small library, a cabinet of min¬ 
erals, and a repository of agricultural implements. The Athenaeum 
of Philadelphia was inebrporated in 18,15, and has a library of 2,000 
volumes, a cabinet of minerals and medals, and upon its tables are to 
be found the principal newspapers published in the United States r r 
ind a numerous collection of the American and European maga¬ 
zines. The Academy of Natural Sciences was founded in 1812, and 
incorporated in 1817, and has a library of 2,000 volumes, and hand¬ 
some collections on natural history. The library of the society of 
Friends, contains about 2,000 volumes. The oldest seminary of learn¬ 
ing in Pennsylvania, is that incorporated by William Penn, by the 
title of Friends Public School. This in corporation has considerable 
funds, and supports a number of schools ; and under its direction the 
Fatih and Greek languages, the mathematics, and natural and ex¬ 
perimental philosophy are taught. The astronomical observatory in 
ihe city belongs to this institution, and it likewise possesses an exten¬ 
sive philosophical apparatus. Here are thirteen Lancasterian schools, 
containing, nearly '5,000 children; also the Pennsylvania institution 
for the deaf and dumb. 

The Pennsylvania Hospital was established in 1752, and is the most 
respectable institution of the kind in.the Union. The whole extent of 
the building.frorrt E. to \Y. is 278 feet, and ddtaehed from the hospital 
is another building of three stories, calculated to accommodate 40 or 
50 patients: The number of patients is usually from 1 0 to 220, in¬ 
cluding 90 lunatics. There are belonging to the hospital it valuable 
anatomical museum, and a library of about 4,500-yoIumes. In 1817, 
a handsome building was erected for the accommodation of the cele¬ 
brated painting of Mr. West, representing Christ healing the sick. 
This painting is a source of a handsome income to the hospital. 

8 he University of Pennsylvania was erectett into, a university, upon 
the foundation of what was denominated the Academy and Charity 
School, and it is chartered as a complete university, * The board of 
trustees, who are 24 in .number, have the power of appointing profes¬ 
sors in all the branches of science.. The establishment consists at 
present pf four departments^of arts, medicine, natural science and 
law, in each of which lectures are given, and'a system ofinstruction is 
established. Connected, with the university are the academy, in 
which youth are instructed in the learned language’s, preparatory to 
college, and a charity scliopl for the education ol poor children. 

A large edifice, built, for the accommodation of the president of the 
United States, is occupied by the university.. The building devoted to 
5 he faculty of arts has excellent lecture rooms^ and a large hall for pub¬ 
lic exercises. The apparatus belonging to the college, is said not to 
be surpassed by any other of the kind in the.country. The library 
contains 3 or 4,000 volumes. The offices in the department of arts 
are, a provost, who is also a professor of moral philosophy and belles 
lettres, a vice-provost, who is also a professor'of mathematics and nat¬ 
ural philosophy, and a professor of languages. The number of un¬ 
dergraduates is about 40. The course of collegiate education is com¬ 
pleted in three years. 

In the department of natural science there arc six professors ; 1 of 


PENNSYLVANIA. 


91 


I natural history, l of comparative anatomy, 1 of chemistry, as applied 
[to the arts, geology, and mineralogy, 1 of natural philosophy ,*1 ofbot- 
I any, and 1 of general literature. In the department of law there is 
one professor. 

The Medical department is the most distinguished and flourishing- 
institution of the kind in America. It has seven professors, 1 of the 
> theory and practice of medicine, 1 of surgery, 1 of materia medica, 1 
of anatomy, 1 of obstetrics, and l of chemistry; and in 1821, about 
400 students. The lectures commence in the first week in October, 
and end the last week in March, or the first in April. Every student 
pays to each professor 20 dollars for a course of lectures. It is neces¬ 
sary to attend two full courses in order to be admitted to a degree. 

Q. What is the commerce of Pennsylvania ? 

A. Philadelphia, which is the only port in the state, carries 
on an extensive foreign commerce ; and her inland commerce 
j with the neighbouring and western states, exceeds that of any 
other city in the Union, except New York. 

Q. What are the manufactures ? 

A. T^here are very extensive manufactures in Pennsylva¬ 
nia, which consist of iron, in all its variety, copper, lead, pew¬ 
ter, leather, shoes, and hoot*, hats, wood, brick, earthen 
ware, gunpowder, cotton,. sug;\r, snuff, tobacco, kc. The 
amount of manufactures in Pennsylvania, is supposed to ex-* 
ceed that of all the -New-England states. 

Q. What are her internal improvements ? 

A. Turnpike roads are common throughout the slate ; hut 
I the great western turnpike from /Philadelphia, across the AI- 
j iegany, to Pittsburg, is the greatest ^>f her internal improve¬ 
ments. 

Q. Which are the principal canals? 

A. The canal to improve {he fiavigat-ion of the Schuylkill, 
at Norristown and .Reading, is the mod important. A canal 
is completed to connect the Susquehannah vyith the Delaware 
at Philadelphia ; anotlie-r is completed - to connect the Dela¬ 
ware bay and Chesapeakejbay; near Bidtiroore. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. The University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, Dick¬ 
inson college at Carlisle, Franklin college at Lancaster,-Jef¬ 
ferson college at Canonsburg, sand Washington college, are 
their first literary institutions. The Bethlehem and Naza¬ 
reth Moravian schools, are in High Repute. Private schools 
abound in the state ; and scthopls for the education of the poor 
are supported by a liberal legislative grant. 

Q. VYhat are the antiquities and curiosities ? 

A. Among the antiquities, are the remains of ancient forti¬ 
fications, near Tioga river, and near Unadilla. Sea shells 





92 


UNITED STATES 


abound in all parts of the Allegany mountain, and are incor¬ 
porated with rocksand stones. 

Q, What forest trees are peculiar to this state? 

A. The umbrella and cucumber trees are peculiar to Penn¬ 
sylvania. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Pennsylvania ? 

A. In 1G8I, king Charles ii. granted.a charter of the prov¬ 
ince of Pennsylvania, to William Penn. A company was form¬ 
ed in London the same year, styled “ The Free Society of 
Traders in Pennsylvania twenty thousand . acres of land 
were bought ; articles of trade were drawn up, and the com¬ 
pany embarked tor America in several divisions, and com¬ 
menced the settlement of their lands. In 1682, William Penn 
obtained from the Duke of York a release of all right, title, 
and claim, which he had or might be supposed to have, to 
the province of Pennsylvania, together with another convey¬ 
ance of all claims to the territory lying upon the river Dela¬ 
ware, called by the Dutch, “ theMtrte lower counties,” and. 
annexed them to Pennsylvania. 

William Penn, having thus arranged his claims, set sail for 
Pennsylvania, August, 1682, and arrived in the Delaware, 
October 24th. The same year he called a general assembly 
of the people, and guaranteed to them a free system of gov¬ 
ernment, to their mutual satisfaction. The samefyearhe en¬ 
tered into a treaty with the Indians, that procured the peace 
of the colony (or 70 years ; pnd lounded the city of Philadel¬ 
phia, about the same time. 

The government of Pennsylvania was a Quaker govern¬ 
ment, founded upon the principles of peace on earth and good 
will to men, which secured the colony against all those dis¬ 
tressing Indian wars and ravages, that were so frequent and, 
murderous in the northern colonies, dotvn to the commence¬ 
ment of the revolution in 1775, nearly one whole century. 
At that time, Pennsylvania entered with zeal and spirit into 
the general measures of defence, and became a warm partizau 
in the war. 

Questions. —When and by whom was Pennsylvania settled ? 

When did William Penn arrive in the colony, and what government; 
did he.establish ?. 

What was the duration of the treaty he concluded with the Indians, 
and when did he found Philadelphia ? 

WhaPpartdid Pennsylvania take in the revolution, and where did.eorw 
gress hold their sessions ? 



DELAWARE. 


9S 


In September, 1774, the first continental congress held 
the-ir sessions at Philadelphia. In May, 1775, the second 
congress convened at the same place, and continued their 
sessions from time to time, through the war, except when in¬ 
terrupted by invasion from the enemy. 

In September, 1777, Philadelphia was taken by general 
llovve, who held possession until the next summer, when the 
Lritish army retired to New-York ; congress returned again 
to Philadelphia. 

When peace was restored in 1783, congress continued the-ir 
sessions at Philadelphia, until the organization ot the Federal 
government, in 1789. The hew Federal congress sat one 
year at New-York', and then removed to Philadelphia, where 
they continued until the year 1800, when they removed to 
Washihgton city. 

It is worthy of notice, that the general convention that 
framed the Federal constitution, in 1787, held their sessions 
at Philadelphia. . 

The. mint of the United States continues at Philadelphia. 

Pennsylvania has uniformly held a-distinguished rank in the 
United States. • . • 


When was Philadelphia taken by the British, and when evacuated ? 
Where was the Federal constitution framed, and when ? 

Where did congress hold their session* under the new gevernment ? 
What is the general character of Pennsylvania l 


DELAWARE. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Delaware ? 

A. Delaware is bounded on the N. by Pennsylvania ; on 
the E. by Delaware river and bay ; on the S. and W. by Ma¬ 
ryland. It is 92 miles long and 32 broad. It contains about 
2000 square miles. 

Q. Wiiat are the civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into three counties, viz. Newcastle. Kent, 
and Sussex ; and into 25 tdwns. Population about 72,749. 

Q. Wlifijt is the climate ? 

A. It is milder than that of Pennsylvania. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil, and productions ? 

A. The face of the country is generally level ; the soil is 
fertile ; and the productions the same as Pennsylvania, but 
wheat is of a superior quality. 

Q. Which are the principal bays and rivers ? 

A. Delaware bay is the only bay; it washes the whole 





94 


UNITED STATES. 


eastern "shore of the state. Delaware river is the principal ; 
Brandywine creek is noted for its mills anrl manufacturing es¬ 
tablishments; the others are small streams. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? . 

A. Dover, Wilmington, Newcastle, Milford, Lew is town 

and Georgetown. ■ . * . ' ' 

Wilmington, borough, and port of entry, Newcastle co. and in the 
hundred of Christiana, Delaware, between the Brandywine and Chris¬ 
tiana creeks, 1 mile above their confluence, and 2 W. of the Delaware, 

.> NNE: Newcastle, 28 SW, Philadelphia. 7.0 NE. Baltimore, W. 110. j 
Lon. 7/. 34. W. Lat. 39. 43. N. Pop. 5,300. (t is built on gently 
rising ground, the most elev-ated ■ ]>art of which is 112 feet above tide 
water, and its situation is pleasant atid healthy. It is regularly laid 
out. tlie streets intersecting each other at right angles, and the bouses 
are mostly of brick. It contains a town house, a spacious alms house, 

7 market houses, 3 banks, a United States arsenall a Friends hoarding 
school for young ladies, a public library of about 1,500 volumes, and 
ten houses of public worship ; 2for Presbyterians,# for Episcopalians, 

1 for Friends, 1 for Baptists, l for Homan < atholics, 1 for Methodists, 
and 2 for Africans. A stone building was erected here for a college, 
before the revolution, and a college was incorporated in 1803, but it 
lias never gone into*operation, and the building is appropriated lor 
schools. Two semi-weekly newspapers are published here. 

•The Christiana is nav,gable as far as Wilmington,for vessels draw¬ 
ing 14 feet of water. The shipping owned here in 1821, amounted to 
10 043 tons. The trade of the town is considerable; its exports con¬ 
sist chiefly of flour. It manufactures considerable quantities of leath¬ 
er. There is a bridge over the Brandywine, at the north entrance of 
the town, and another at the. south entrance, over the Christiana. 
The country around Wilmington is pleasant and finely situated. On 
the Brandywine, separated at a little distance from the body of the 
town, there is a village of abput lOO houses, nearly one half of winch 
are included within the borough ; and fourteen flour mills, the finest 
collection in the United States. The Brandywine and the Christiana, 
with their branches, afford a great number ot excellent scats for mills 1 
and manufactories. In 1815, there' were included, within a space of 
nine miles around Wilmington, 4'4 flourmills, 13 cotton manufactories, 

15 saw mills, 2 woollen manufactories, G gunpowder mills, 2 paper 
mills, 2 snuff mills, and several otlief mills and manufactories. 

Q. Wnat is the commerce of Delaware ? 

A. There is considerable coasting trade.; but the foreign 
trade is carried on principally through Philadelphia. 

Q. What are the manufactures :’ 

A. The Brandywine establishments are very respectable, 
and those mills produce more than 200,000 barrels of flour 
annually.- 

At Lewistown are salt works by which sea-water is conver¬ 
ted into salt, by evaporation from the heat of the sun, as in the 
West Indies. 






DELAWARE. 


95 


Q What are the internai improvements? 

A. The light-house, anti the canals, particularly the canal 
to connect Delaware bay with the Chesapeake bay, through 
the river Elk. 

Q. What is the state of literature? 

A. 1 hey have several flourishing academies and schools, 
which are extensively provided for bylaw. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Delaware? 

A. Delaware derives its name from lord De La War, or 
Delaware who was the first governor of Virginia, in 1610. 
in 161 I, he returned to England, and in 1618, on his re!urn 
from England to his government in Virginia, died, at the en¬ 
trance of the bay that bears his name. 

In 1629, the Swedes and Fins commenced settlements in 
Delaware, at Cape Henlopen ; and in 1631, they built a fort 
at Christiana, near Wilmington, in the year 1654, the Dutch 
from New-Net her lands dispossessed the Swedes and Pins, 
and annexed the country to ' ew-Ne'therlands. At the peace 
of Westminster in 1674, Delaware,-as a part of New-Nether- 
lands, was exchanged for the colony of Surinam, a province of 
Guyana, ia South America, and annexed to the British colo¬ 
nies It continued under the government of New-York. In 
1680, when the grant of Pennsylvania was made to William 
Penn, a question arose upon this subject, and it was determjn- 
'ed by the lords commissioners of trade and plantations in Eng¬ 
land, that the Duke of York’s claims extended no further west 
than the east side\)f Delaware bay r and that the land in con¬ 
troversy belonged to.the crovvn. William Penn next claimed 
it as a part of his grant, and exercised jurisdiction over it. 
Lord Baltimore claimed it at the same time as lying within the 
Maryland grant. It continued in controversy, until the yen! 
1685, when the country lying Between the Chesapeake and 
Delaware bays, was divided, , between lord Baltimore and Win. 
Penn, as it now ;stanris, and annexed th Maryland on the west, 
and Pennsylvania omthe east. In 1691, a controversy com¬ 
menced between the colony, and the ti^pee lowey counties, 
then so called, (now Delaware) and thej^vvithdrevv and com- 


Questions. —From whom does this state derive its name ?. • 

When and by whom was Delaware settled ? 

When was Delaware taken by the Dutch and annexed to New York 
v When and how were the claims to this colony settled between William 
Penn and lord Baltimore ? - ' 




96 


UNITED STATES. 

menced an independent government. In 1703, the counties 
of Delaware held their first assembly at Newcastle. In 1775. 
all controversy between Delaware and the proprietors ot 
Pennsylvania and Maryland was closed, and the boundaries 
were established as they now stand. 

Delaware entered warmly into the measures of the revolu¬ 
tion, and sent her riflemen to join the army before Boston, in 
1775. 

Delaware was invaded by general Howe in September, 
1777, when he invaded Pennsylvania and took Philadelphia ; 
and Delaware l?ay became a station for the British fleet 
through the winter following, and until the British army re¬ 
turned to New-York, in June, 1778. During this time, Del¬ 
aware suffered severely from the ravages of the enemy. 

Delaware zealously co-operated in framing and adopting 
the Federal constitution, and has uniformly continued a warm 
friend to the government. 


When did Delaware become independent of Penn ? 

What part did Delaware take in the revolution ?• 

When wq.s this state invaded by the British ? 

What is the general character of Delaware in relation to the Union; 

•Southern States. 

MARYLAND. 

4^. What are the situation and extent of Maryland ? 

A. Maryland is bounded N. on Pennsylvania ; E. by Dcla 
ware and the Atlantic ocean ; S. and W. by Virginia. It is 
134 miles long, and 110 broad. It contains about 14,000 
square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. Maryland is divided into 19 counties, viz. Allegany, Ann 
Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Charles, Frederick,"Hartford. 
Montgomery, Prince George, St. Mary’s, Washington, Caro¬ 
line, Ccecil, Dorchester,Kent, Queen Ann, Somerset, Talbot, 
and Worcester. Its^population is about 400,000 ; about one 
third of which are slaves. 

Q,. What is the climate ! 

A. In the eastern region it is often moist and unhealthy, 
but in the interior it is mild and salubrious. 

Q, What are the face of the country, sail and productions ? 
A. The face of the country on the east is level, and often 







MARYLAND. 


97 

marsh)' ; but on the west it extends into the Apalachian range 
and is rough and broken. The soil is generally rich, and pro¬ 
duces wheat, tobacco, and some cotton, corn, &c. 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. Iron and coal ; also beds of a beautiful variegated mar¬ 
ble. The columns of the Capitol at Washington were taken 
from this quarry. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The principal rivers are, the Potomac, which washes 
the whole southern and western boundary of Maryland* the 
Patapsco, Severn, and Patuxent, from the west, the, Susque- 
hannab from the north, and Pokomoke, Nenticoke, Chop- 
tank, Chester and Elk, from the east, all fall into the Chesa¬ 
peake bay. 

Q. Which are the chief-towns ? 

A. Annapolis, the seat of government; Baltimore, the seat 
of commerce ; Fredefickstqwn, Hagerstown, Eikton and 
Havre de Grasse. 

Baltimore, city and port of entry, Baltimore co. Md., on N. side of 
the Patapsco, 14 miles above its entrance into Chesapeake bay ; 37 N. 
E. Washington, 70S. S. E. Lancaster, 100 S. W. Philadelphia, 160 
N. E. Richmond, 190 S. W. N. York. 230 E. S. E. Pittsburg, 580 N. 
N. E. Charleston.- Lon. 76.36. W. Lat. 39 17 N. Pop. in 1790. 
13,758; in 1800, 23,971; in 1810, 46,556, of-whom 10,348 were 
blacks ; in 1820, 62,,738. 

Baltimore has had a remarkably rapid growth. In 1765 it contain¬ 
ed only about 50'houses. It was erected into a city in 1797, and is 
now the third in size in the United States. It is admirably situated 
for commerce, and is a place of great wealth and trade. It possesses 
most of the trade of Maryland, a great part of that of the back coun¬ 
try of Pennsylvania, and a portion of that of the western states. The 
shipping, owned herein 1790, amounted to only 13,564 tons ; in 1816, 
to 101,960 tons; in 1820, to 68,674 tons.. The number of vessels 
which arrived here, in ; 18l6, from foreign ports, was 533 ; the number 
coastwise 4<)l. 

Baltimore, as laid out, is four miles square, and it is divided into 
twelve wafds. It is built around a basin, which affords a spacious, 
secure, and commodious harbour, havihg at common tides, eight or 
nine feet of water. The principal part of the city is divided from the 
portions styled Old Town and Fell’s Point, by a small river, called 
Jones’ Falls, over which are erected thiee elegant stone bridges, and 4 
wooden-onus. Vessels of500 or 600 tons can lie at the wharves at this 
Point, in perfect safety ; but those of only 200 tons can come up to the 
town. The mouth of the harbour is a narrow strait, and is effectually- 
commanded by fort M’Henry, which secures the city against a naval 
force. The situation of a part of the town is low, and it was formerly 
accounted unhealthy ; but the various improvements which have been 
made, particularly the filling up of low and marshy grounds, have 
rendered it healthy. It is supplied with excellent water from four pub 
lie fountains, which are fitted up in an ornamental style, 

9 


UNITED STATES, 


Baltimore contains a court-house, a penitentiary, a jail, an alms¬ 
house, a hospital, a theatre, a circus, an exchange, a museum and gal¬ 
lery of paintings, five market houses, ten hanks, including a branch of 
the United States bank, a library of about 10,000 volumes, and 38 
houses of public worship; five foi Roman Catholics, five for Episco¬ 
palians, five for. Methodists., four for Baptists, three for Presbyterians, 
three for Africans, two for Dutch Reformed, two for Seceders, two 
for Friends, one for Lutherans, one for Unitarians, one for Independ¬ 
ents, pne for Dunkers, and a New Jerusalem Church: 

The exchange is an immense edifice, 36b feet by 140, somewhat re¬ 
sembling an H, having four wings; one for the United States branch 
bank, one for the custom house, and one for a coffee bouse. The Ro¬ 
man Catholic cathedral, and the Lfoitarinn'church are very Conspicu¬ 
ous and magnificent edifices. St. Paul’s church, fha court-house, and 
the Union bank, are ,all spacious and elegant. Several of the other 
public buildings are large and handsome. The penitentiary is a large 
building, and contained m 1817, 242 prisoners. The institution is un¬ 
der excellent management. The hospital, on an elevated situation, 
has an extensive and valuable anatomical museum, and usually from 
J20 to 150 patients. 

The Washington Monument, a superbstructuie qf stone, is situated 
on an elevation, just above the-cornpact part of the city. The base is 
50 feet square, and .’3 high, on which is placed anothervquare of about 
half the exieot and elevation. On this is a column 20 feet in diame¬ 
ter at the base,-and 14. at the top. ‘ The sl at uo of V\ a^hmgtcn is to be 
placed on the summit, 163-feet from thergro'und. 

The city is generally well built, mostly of brick. Many of the hous¬ 
es, particularly those recently erected, display much elegance and 
taste. The ‘Streets are well paved, and many of them are spacious. 
The principal street, called Baltimore or Market street,'is about a mile 
long, and about 80 feet wide, and runs nearly east and west, parallel 
with the water ; and it is intersected at right angles, like those in Phil¬ 
adelphia. North and east of the-city, the land.rises to. a Considciable 
elevation, and affords a fine and. variegated prospect.. The toivn. the 
point, theshippmg, both in the bay and at Fejfs point, the bay as far 
the eye can reach, rising ground on the right and left of the harbour, 
a fine grove of trees on the declivity at the right, and a stream of wa¬ 
ter breaking over tile rocks ut the bill on the left,, all ironspire to com¬ 
plete the beauty and giandeiir of the scene. 

The literary institutions of Baltimore area Medical College, St. 
Mary’s College, and Baltimore College. There are several Lancaste- 
rian and Sunday schools ; and numerous private schools are well sup¬ 
ported. 

The Medical College was founded in 1807. In l6l2* the institution 
received a new charter, and was styled the. University of Maryland, 
and was authorized to annex three other faculties, of languages, art s 
and sciences, of law and divinity. These are expected soon to go into 
operation. The medical department, the only one hitherto in opera¬ 
tion, is highly respectable and flourishing, and. has a valuable medical 
library,!! good .chemical and philosophical apparatus, and an anatom¬ 
ical museum. The building is spacious and elegant. The officers are 
a provost., and 6 professors, of anatomy, theory and practice of medfo 


MARYLAND. 


99 


cine, chemistry, materia mcdica, obstetrics, and the institutes of med¬ 
icine, The number of students in 1821, was 238. 

St. Mary’s College was incorporated as a university in 180$, and is 
well endowed. The buildings are neatly 1 built of brick. It ' as a good 
library, a philosophical, and a chemical apparatus. Its officers are a 
president, a professor of divinity, one of moral and one of naUual phi¬ 
losophy, one of belles lettres, four of the languages and mathematics, 
and eight assistant tutors. T£te student's, about 140 in number, be¬ 
tween the agosof7 and 19, study m presence of their instructors. A 
seminary for students preparing for the priesthood is connected with 
tflO college. 

The Baltimore < 'ollege Ts an incorporated institution, but has no 
funds. The building is a neat edifice of brick, 60 feet by 40. It has 
two instructors,’' and about 60 students, frofn seveh to-fifteen years of 

a r- '■ . “'-v T i T - «r : - -V. 

jSix newspapers' are published here ; fivadlrily, and one weekly. 
Among the manufacturing e s l a-hFi ah rrreh t s- are two steam flour mills, 
a glass house, a cotton manufactory. several establishments for the 
manufacture-of Prussian blue, white lead, and vitriol; also distilleries 
of gin and whiskey. The importance,of Baltimore is increased by the 
advantages for mills and other watep works <n its vicinity. There 
were in 1805,-within eighteen rblies,of, the city, fifty merchant flour 
mills, two paper mills, one poweter rnul, two forges, and several furna- 
-cds. Twelve of the flour mills are on Jones’ Falls, within four miles 
of the city. At these mills are manufactured jiieat quantities of excel¬ 
lent flour. 

A formidable attack wasmiade- bi^ this enty during' the late war, on 
the 13th and Uthof Sept. 1814, by the British, under General Ross. 
On the 1.3th, the battle at North Point was fought; and on the 14tli 
fort M’Henry was.botnhp.rded. The enemy .-was rephlsed, and Gener¬ 
al Ross was slain. An elegant structure of marble, about 35 feet 
high, called Vho-B ittleMonument',Jmnbe n ^rcctcd.ima square in the 
•city, commemorative of tfils ’ey out. AOn the coJumft-.afo inacribed the 
names of those who fell in tic-defence qf the city. 

Q. UV at is he commerce of Maryland ? 

A. The com r.^rce is-so extoosivodhat rio- oac’commercial 
city in the. UnVt^l Stages h;t$dWiri*hed m-S inCaeased equal to 
Baltimore. Their staples, acp fiourmnd tobacco. 

Q. What are the manufactures?' 4 

A. Flour, iron, glass piper, whiskey, &c. ; but flour is the 
principal ; more than §0 gristmills, in 'onecounty,-are em¬ 
ployed in tlvb inamifacture of this article. 

Q. Whai is the-state of literature ? 

A. The Fu-e.ratune t>f Maryland is-improving. They have 
several colleges ; Washington college at Charlestown, and St. 
Johns’ college at'Annapolis., form the University orf Maryland* 
They have a Methodist college at Harford, a Catholic college 
at Georgetown, and a French college at Baltimore ; also sev¬ 
eral academies. Common schools are increasing, and becom 
ing. general. 


UNITED STATES, 


100 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Maryland ? 

A. King Charles I. granted this colony to Caecilius Cal 
vert, baron of Baltimore, in the year 1632, and called it Ma 
ryland, in honor of his queen, Henrietta Maria. Lord ^Balti¬ 
more was a Catholic, and in order that he might enjoy his re - 
ligionin peace, he collected a small colony of Roman Catho¬ 
lics, about 200, and sailed for America in the month of Novem¬ 
ber, of the same year. Early in January, in 1633, he arriv¬ 
ed in the colony, near the mouth of the Potomac, wintered, 
and entered into negotiations with the natives for the purchase 
of their lands In'March' following, he commenced the set¬ 
tlement of the town of>t. Mary’s. 

In 1634—5, the proprietary called an assembly of all the 
people to form a system of laws and regulations for the colo¬ 
ny ; and they granted to him ^a subsidy upon tobacco, to in¬ 
demnify him for the £40,000 which he had expended in 
founding the colony. * 

Lord Baltimore pursued the same policy with regard to 
the Indians, that was afterwards so successfully followed by 
Wm. Penn, in Pennsylvania. He maintained the strictest 
principles of justice, in purchasing the Indian lands, and in all 
their intercourse with them'; and the planters and Indians 
lived together as brethren of one family. In 1638—9, the 
colony had become so numerous as to render it necessary to 
establish, the first House of Elective Assembly. All the in¬ 
habitants were required to take the oath of allegiance to the 
king of England. One of the first acts of this Assembly de¬ 
scribes the people, as'consisting of all Christian inhabitants, 
slaves only excepted; which shows that slavery commenced in 
Maryland with its existence as a body politic. 

This colony continued t prosper uricrer the happy govern¬ 
ment of lord Baltimore, until it was disturbed by the intrigues 
of Wm. Clayborne, which led 4o an Indian war in 1642, that 
continued several years ; and in 1643, Clayborne raised a re 
bellion, that drove the proprietaryjnto- Virginia, and continu¬ 
ed to rage, until August, 1646, when it was suppressed, and 
peace restored. 

Questions.— When ami oy whom w^s Maryland settled . 3 
What was the religious character of this colony ? . 

When was the first assembly called, and what was their general policy 
When was the first house of Elective Assembly convened ? 

When did slavery commence in Maryland ? 

Who disturbed the tranquillity of the colony, and when and where was 
peace restored iW- 





MARYLAND. 


101 


Vo secure more permanently the peace of this colony, the 
e, X' Amenably, though Catholics, passed the following acts ot 
toleration, viz. “ No persons professing to believe in Jesus 
Christ shall be molested in regard to their religion, or the free 
exercise thereof, or be compelled to the exercise of any oth- 
or religion, against their consent; so that they be not unfaith¬ 
ful to the proprietary, or conspire against the civil govern¬ 
ment. n “ Any person molesting another m regard 10 his reli¬ 
gions tenets shall pay treble damages to the party -aggrieved, 
Mid twenty's hidings to the proprietary. &c.” t 

In 1649, Maryland framed and adopted a. constitution, that 
continued down to the year 1776 ; . In 1854, during the reign 
of Oliver Cromwell in England, a contention arose in Mary¬ 
land bet-ween the Puritans and Catholics, which issued in civ¬ 
il war ; the Puritans, prevailed and expelled the Catholics, 
nnd assumed the reins of government. This Puritan gov¬ 
ernment acknowledged the authority of Cromwell, and passed 
an intolerant net, iiVerdicting Popery in the province. 

In 1660, when Charles H. wus restored to the throne of 
Engjand, the pi-oprietary sent out Philip Calvert, esq. as gov¬ 
ernor of Maryland. At this time the population oflhe colony 
amounted to about 12,000. 

In 1662, Charles Calvert, son of the proprietary, by ap¬ 
pointment of his father, assumed the reins of government ; 
and in 1676, the proprietor, Cte :ilius CaLvert, died, and the 
then governor became proprietary. 

The province at this time contained a population of 16,000. 

In the year 1689, the Protestants conspired again against 
the Papists, and under the mask of a Popish plot in concert 
vrilh the Indians, effected a revolution, and assumed the gov- 
, rnrneui. .William- and Mary were -then upon the throne of 
England, arid approved the change. In 1692, the protestunt 
religion was eslablished by law in this colony. 

In 1716, Charles, lord Baltimore, recovered the govern¬ 
ment of his province, and held it in his family down to the 
American revolution, when the tie ‘tn .n assumed the reins 

What noted act of toleration was passed by the Assembly and when i. 
When did Maryland frame and adopt her first constitution / 

When did civil war commence, ana from what cause2 
When was the proprietary government restored, and what was th* 
population ? 

When did the Protestants effect a second revolution, and assume the 
reins of government ? 

When was the proprietary government again restored, and when wa* 





*02 


UNITED STATE'S. 


flt’goyernrnqnt, and confiscated the property, and framed the 
preseat constitution. 

Maryland was a warm friend to the revolution, and furnish ¬ 
ed some of the best troops in support of the war. She was 
zealous in framing and adopting the federal constitution, and 
Continues to be one of its firm supporters. 

What part did Maryland take in the revolutionary war ? 

What is her general character with regard to the Union 


DISTRICT.OF COLUMBIA. 

<$.. What are the situation and extent, of the District of Columbia 

A. The District of Columbia is situated upon both sides of 
the river Potomac, I2X) miles from its mouth. It is ten miles 
square, and was ceded to the United States by Virginia and 
Maryland, in the year 1790. In 1800, it became the seat of 
the federal government. The jurisdiction is vested in the 
congress of the United States. Its population in 1820, wa* 
32,039. 

Q, Which are the chief towns f 

A. Washington city, Georgetown, and Alexandria. 

Washington, city, and metropolis of the United States, in the Dis 
trict of Columbia. Lon. 1. 52, W. Philadelphia : 53. 62. W. Ferro ; 
77. 2. W. Greenwich ; 79. 22. W. Paris. Lat. 38. 58. N Pop in 
1800, 3,210 ; in 1810, 8,208 ; in 1820, 13,247. Houses 2,141 ; 994 of 
brick, 1,147 of wood. The city of Washington became the seat of 
the national government in 1800. It is situated on the Maryland side 
of the Potomac, 295 miles by the course of the river and bay, from the 
Atlantic, on a point of land upon the eastern branch of the Potomac 
and its site, as laid out, extends two or three miles up each of these 
rivers. It is separated from Georgetown by Rock creek, over which 
are two bridges, and there is a bridge over the Potomac, more than a 
mile in length, leading to Alexandria. A canal is constructed from 
the Potomac, passing up the Tiber, a small stream that flows through 
Washington, and then across the plain of the city to the eastern, 
branch, forming a communication between the two rivers. 

The natural situation of Washington, is pleasant and salubrious 
and it is laid out on a plan, which, when completed, will render it one 
of the handsomest and most commodious cities in the world. It is di ¬ 
vided into squares, by .spacious streets or avenues, runnina N and 
intersected by others at right angles ; these are crossed transversely 
by fifteen other spacious Streets or avenues, named after the different 
states. The rectangular streets are designated by the letters of th? 
alphabet and by numbers. The grand avenues, and such streets as 
lead immediately to public places, are from 130 to 160 feet wide • the 
other streets are from 90 to 110 feet wide. A very small part of the 
plan only is as yet completed. The buildings, which cover but a small 
portion of the site as laid out, stand in four or five separate division* 



DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 


103 


and Washington at present, exhibits the appearance, not of one regu- 
lai city, but of a collection of villages; in which Uie splendid public 
edifices appear of a disproportionate grandeur. 

The princpal public buildings and institutions in the city, are tho 
capitol and the president’s house, of stone ; the building, for the state, 
treasury, war and navy departments, and the general post-office, arc 
all large brick edifices ; the navy yard, extensive barracks for the mu¬ 
rine corps, a jail, a theatre, a public library, four banks, including a 
branch of the United States bank, four market houses, a city hall, two 
masonic halls, a circus, an infirmary, an orphan asylum,* a college, and 
14 houses of public worship ; 3 for Presbyterians, 3 for Catholics, 2 
for Episcopalians, 2 for Baptists, 2 for Methodists, 1 for Friends, and 1 
for Unitarians. 'There are five newspapers published in the city. 

The Capitol is finely situated on an eminence, commanding a beau¬ 
tiful prospect pf the Potomac, of every part of the city, and of a wide 
extent of the surrounding country. It is surrounded by an elegant 
iron railing, enclosing twenty acres of ground, planted with various 
kinds of trees and shrubs ; and the ground immediately to the west of 
the capitol has been enclosed with a botanic garden. The two wings 
are 100 feet square each, connected with a well proportioned centre 
now building. It is built of white free-stone, and when completed, 
will be a most magnificent edifice, presenting a front of 362 feet. 

The President’s house is situated on a gentle elevation about a 
mile and a half west of the capitol, and is built of the same kind of 
stone, and covered with copper. It is a very elegant edifice, 170 feet 
by 85, of two stories, with a suitable basement story. The buildings, 
which contain the offices for the great departments of government, 
consist of four spacious brick edifices of two stories, covered with 
siate, situated at a small distance from the President’s house. In 
these buildings are kept the papers, records, archives, and offices for 
the departments of State, of the Treasury, of War, and of the Navy, 
The General Post-Office is a large brick edifice, situated about a mile 
WN W. of the Capitol, and contains, besides the various offices belong¬ 
ing to the Post Office establishment, the models of invention for which 
patents have been granted, forming a very'Extensive and curious col¬ 
lection ; and a temporary libra^ room for the national library, pur¬ 
chased in 1815, of the Hon. Thomas Jefferson, late piesidcnt of the 
United States, and consisting of about 8,000 volumes. The navy 
yard is situated on the eastern branch, which forms a safe and commo¬ 
dious harbour, being sufficiently deep for largo ships, about four miles 
from its mouth. The city hall, commenced in 1820, is 251 feet in 
length, 0 in breadth, two stories high at the wings, and one in the 
centre, and is covered with slate. 

On the 24th of August, 1814, the city was taken by the British, who 
burnt the public edifices, not sparing even the national library. All 
these edifices are now rebuilt and repaired, except the Capitol, which 
is not yet finished. The foundation of the centre- of the Capitol, was 
laid on the 24th of August,. 1813, just four years after the conllagra- 
fio ; and it will be completed earlier, probably, than it would have 
been hut for the visit of the British. This event has tended to in¬ 
crease the prosperity of the city ; the national pride having been exci¬ 
ted,not only to rebuild what was destroyed, but to complete what was 
unfinished. The amount expended by the United States on tho pub¬ 
lic-buildings in the city, previously to their destruction by the British, 


was 1,214,291 dolls. The'subsequent appropriations for rebuilding 
and repairing, to 1821, have .amounted to 1,207,788 dollars. 

Columbia College is finely situated on elevated ground, one and one 
fourth miles,N, of the President’s house, commanding a view of the 
city, of Georgetown, Alexandria,, the Potomac, and a wide extent of 
the siirrounding country. The college edifice begun in 1820, and fin¬ 
ished in 1821, is 117 feet by 4.7, of live stories ; calculated to accom¬ 
modate about 100 students ; containing also a chapel, a dining hall, 
library and lecture rooms. The college was first opened for instruc¬ 
tion, January 9, 1822, with- 30 students, and incoiporated by act of 
tforlrrress, February 9, IS.2L. The legislative government is entrusted 
to trustees, not exceeding"-;! 1 ; the executive government to a presi¬ 
dent, who-is also professor of-general history, belles iettres, rhetoric 
and moral philosophy ; five professors,' one of the learned languages, 
oue of mathematics and natural philosophy, ope of experimental phi¬ 
losophy, one of anatomy and physiology, and one of chemistry and 
geology ; and two tutors. C onnected with the collfege is a prepara- 
torv school, and also a Baptist theological seminary with three pro¬ 
fessors ; one .of divinity and pufpit eloquence, ojie of languages and 
biblical literature,- and one bf ecclesiastical history and Christian dis¬ 
cipline. The college has been co menced with a favourable promise 
of becoming a useful and fiourishing -institution. 

Georgetown , is situated upon the east side of the Potomac, at the 
confluence of Rock creek, which separates it from Washington city, 
it has five houses for public worship, and a Roman Catholic college, 
founded in 17: ; 9., . 

Alexandria is "situated upon the \V. bank of the Potomac, seven 
miles from Washington city, it has a commodious - harbour for large 
ships, and possesses an extensive Hour trade. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. Columbia College, in the city of Washington, is a flour¬ 
ishing institution, embracing a theological ’seminary, a'lhedical 
department, and a preparatory school. 

history. 

Q. What is the history of the District of Columbia 
. A. The District oi Columbia was .ceded by Virginia and Ma¬ 
ryland to th ; United States in 1790, and became the perma¬ 
nent seat of government in 180(\; Juring which time the pub¬ 
lic buildings were loiHided, rind progressed towards -their com¬ 
pletion until the.yaar 1.8.14, uvh v cn the District of Columbia 
was invaded by a British army, under the command ofgener- 
al Koss,' who caused the public buildings to be destroyed by 
fire, together with the library df congress. 

The public buildings have all been re-built. 

Questions. —When and by whom was the District granted to the 
United States ? 

When did it become the permanent seat of government ? 

When was it invaded by a British army, and what were the conse¬ 
quences ? 

.What is the present state of the public buildings ? 



VIRGINIA, 


105 


VIRGINIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Virginia 

A. Virginia is bounded on the N. by Pennsylvania and Ma¬ 
ryland ; E. by the Atlantic ocean, Chesapeake bay, and Ma¬ 
ryland ;S. by North Carolina; and XV. by Ohio and Ken¬ 
tucky. It is 450 miles long and 200 broad ; and contains 
qbout 64,000 square miles. 

Q. What are the civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 102 counties, viz. Brook, CabeJ, 

[ Greenbriar, Giles, Grayson, Harrison, Kenhawa, Lewis, Lee, 
Monongalia, Mason, Monroe, Montgomery, Nicholas, Ohio. 
Preston, Russell, Randolph, Scott, Tazewell, Tyler, Wythe. 
Washington and Wood, west of the Allegany mountains ; Ac¬ 
comack, Albemarle, Amelia, Amherst, Augusta, Bath, Bed¬ 
ford, Berkeley, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buckingham, Camp¬ 
bell, Caroline, Charles city, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Cumber¬ 
land, Culpepper, Dinwiddie, Elizabeth city, Essex, Fauquier, 
Fairfaix, Fluvana, Frederick, Franklin,. Gloucester, Gooch¬ 
land, Greensville, Halifax, Hampshire, Hanover, Hardy, Hen¬ 
rico, Henry, Isle of Wight, James city, Jefferson, King and 
Q,ueen, King George, King-William, Lancaster,Loudon, Lou¬ 
isa, Lunenburgh, Madison, Matthews, Mecklenburgh, Middle¬ 
sex, Morgan, Nansemond, Nelson, New Kent, Norfolk, 
Northampton, Northumberland, Nottaway, Orange, Patrick, 
Pendleton, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Princess 
Anne, Prince William, Prince George, Richmond, Rock¬ 
bridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Southampton,Spotsylvania, 
Stafford, Surry, Sussex. Warwick, Westmoreland ami York, 
east of the mountains. Population in 1820, 1,065,366 ; three- 
fifths of which are slaves. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. The climate is very various : in the low country it is 
hot, moist, and unhealthy ; but its temperature is cool and sa¬ 
lubrious in the middle and western parts. 

Q. What is the face of the country ?•'. 

A. East of the Apalachian chain, Virginia is level, to the 
extent of about 100 miles ; the mountains then commence, 
'and extend in lofty broken ridges, across the state ; they are 
about 50 miles wide. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil of Virginia is various, but generally good ; the 
flat country produces corn, oats, peas, cotton, tobacco, cider, 
&c.; the hill country produces wheat, rye, barley, com, 




106 UNITED STATES. 

hemp, flax* &c. Many of the vallies of the mountains are 
fertile. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 2\F • 

A. The Apalachian or Allegany* anfl the Blue ridge, so 
termed bv way of distinction. The summits ot the Allegany 
are designated by the names of North mountain, Laurel moun¬ 
tain, or ridge, and Jacks outs mountain. The summits ol the 
Blue ridge, by the Peaks of Otter. The latter are the high¬ 
est These- mountains have, been described under North 
America—page 15. 

Q. What are the mineral ? 

A. Copper, iron, lead, black lead, coal, marble, limestone, 
and crystals, 4 II in great abundance. Twelve uiines*of iron 
are now open in V irginia. 

Q. Which are their.mineral^pringf; ?. 1 

A. Hoi spriu::,'and warm spring, near the sources of Ja nes 
river, with •.others of less value upon the Potomac ; the hot 
springs will boil an egg. All are places of considerable resort. 

Q; Which are the principal bays and capes ? 

A. Chesapeak ■ bay,; and capes Henry and Charles. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers f 

A. The Potomac, York, James, &c. east of the mountains. 
T he Great and Little Ren haw a, &c. west of the mountains. 

G. How far is the Potomao navigable for ships £ 

A. About 3r0 miles, from the capes up to Washington city. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Virginia is not located into-tovvnships. like the northern 
states hut into firms and plantations, with a fewjarge mark¬ 
et towns, such as Richmond, Petersburg, Fredericksburgh, 
Williamsburg, Norfolk, &,c. Riclirhond is the sfeat of govern¬ 
ment. 

Richmond, city, port of entry, and metropolis Of Virginia, in Henri¬ 
co co. on N\ side of James river, between 50 and 60 miles, by the course 
of the river, above CUy Poiut,;nnd- 150 miles from its mouth, immedi¬ 
ately below the Fails, at the head of tide water, and opposite to Man¬ 
chester, with which it is connected by two.bridges ; 25 N. Petersburg, 
123 S. by W. Washington. Lon 77. 31. W.—Lat. 37 30 N. Pop. in 
1800, 5,537'; in 1810, 9,735 ; in 1817, 11,338; in 1820, 12,046. Thl 
city was formerly divided into two sections, the upper or western part, 
called Skockoe hilL and the lower part Richmond , separated by Sho.ck- 
oe creek, a small rivulet ; but these distinctions are now going, put of 
use, and the sections are united together. The situation is highly pic¬ 
turesque, beautiful and healthy ; and Richmond is a.flourishing, weal¬ 
thy, and commercial city. . ' 

it contains about 800 houses built of brick, many of them elegant, 
and about 600 built of wood ; a glass house, a sugar refinery, an iron 
foundery, a rolling and slitting mill, a cotton manufactory, eight to¬ 
bacco ware houses, two insurance offices, three banks, including a 





VIRGINIA. 


107 


branch of the United States bank, a capitol or state house, a house for 
the governor, an armory, a penitentiary, a courthouse, a Jail, an alms¬ 
house, two market houses, a public library, containing about' 3,000 
volumes, a museum, a lancasterian school^ and 8 houses of public wor- 
j ship, 2 for Episcopalians, 1 for Presbyterians, 1 for Baptists, 2 for 
Methodists, 1 for Friends, and a Jews’ synagogue. 

The falls extend nearly six miles, in which distance the river de¬ 
scends 80 feet. A canal with three locks is cut on the north side of 
the, river, terminating at the town in. a bason of about two acres. Few 
cities situated so far from the sea, possess better commercial advanta¬ 
ges than Richmond, being at the"head*of tide water, on a river navi¬ 
gable for battoaux, *20 miles above the city, ft nd having an extensive 
and fertile back country, abundant in the productions of tobacco, 
wheat, corn, hemp, coal, &c. It has an extensive inland trade, and 
its foreign commerce is considerable; The shipping .owned here in 
j 1316, amounted to 9,943 tons. James river is navigable to Warwick, 
i for vessels drawing fifteen or sixteen feet W’ater, and to Rockets, just 
below Richmond, for vessels drawing ten feet. The exports of the city 
consist of tobacco flour, coal, and various articles of produce. There 
; are five newspapers published in tins city; two daily, one three times 
a week, and two twice a week. 

The Virginia armory is an extensive establishment, and there are 
annually manufactured in it, upwards of '4,000 stands of arms, 300 
rifles, and 1,000 cavalry swordt and pistols. The penitentiary is un 
der good regulations, and contained in 1818,170 prisoners. The new 
court-house is a very spacious and elegant edifice. The capitol is 
, built on a commanding situation on Shockoe hill, and is a very con- 
I spicuous object to the surrounding country. The design was taken 
from La Maison Quaree, at Nismes, and the model was obtained by 
Mr. Jefferson, while minister theie. The edifice, however falls greatly 
I short of the model. 

In 1811, on the 26th of December, the theatre at Richmond took fire 
during an exhibition, and in the conflagration 72 persons lost their 
lives, among whom were George William Smith, Esqr. governor of 
the state, and other persons of respectability. An elegant Episcopal 
church of brick. Styled the Monumcrttal Qhurch , has since been erected 
on the spot, with a monument in front, commemorative of the melan¬ 
choly event. ‘ 

Q. What are the commerce and manufactures of Virginia ? 

A. Flour and tobacco are their principal exports. They 
fbave some manufactures of iron and lead ; and domestic man¬ 
ufactures are very,general throughout the,state. 

Q. What aie the internal improvements ? 

A. Large ships have free access to Jamestown, upon tin 
James river, and sloops pass up to Richmond ; canals are con 
structed at the falls for the internal improvement of naviga 
tion, so as to admit the passage of boats more than 200 miles 
above Richmond. Five canals are constructed at the five sev¬ 
eral falls upon the Potomac, above Washington, by which 
beats are enabled to pass to Cumberland, near the source of 
that river. From thence the great Cumberland road connects 








108 


UNITED STATES. 


the intern,^ commerce with the Ohio, at Wheeling ; and 
through the Ohio with the Mississippi. This road has been 
constructed at great expense by the national government. 
Also, a canal from Elizabeth river, near Norfolk, that passes 
through Great Dismal Swamp, and connects (Chesapeake bay 
with Albemarle sound. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. It is improving. The University of Virginia, at Char- 
lottsville, is a splendid institution, founded by the legislature 
in 1817. The buildings were completed in 1822, at an ex¬ 
pense of $207,710. It is endowed by the state with a reve¬ 
nue of $15,000 per annum, from theii literary fund, which 
amounts to $l,lu0,000. This institution, with Henrico, Wil¬ 
liam and Mary colleges, Washington college,and Hampden Sid¬ 
ney college, are the principal literary institutions. 

Q. What are the curiosities ? 

A. An inflammable spring near the great Kenhavva, that 
emits vapour that kindles into a flame upon the approach of a 
torch, and burns like spirit, about twenty minutes. Another 
near the western line, termed burning spring, which, when 
kindled with a torch, continues to burn for many months, un¬ 
less extinguished by smothering. 

Q. What other curiosities are worthy of notice ? 

A. A natural well, in Frederick county, in which the water 
rises to the height of common wells, near it; but whosetlepth j 
is unfathomable. Also, Madison cave, in the hill country, I 
extending into the earth about 300 feet, and then terminates 
in a river, or current of water. Another also, in the same 
county, extending about 450 feet into the earth. 

Q.‘ Are the curiosities numerous ? 

A. In Virginia there is a blowing cave, near the panther 
gap, (so called) that emits a strong curreut of air, which lays, 
prostrate the herbage at the distance of 50 or 60 feet; an¬ 
other in the Cumberland mountain, that blows irregularly, 
and emits a current of water ; and another that extends 
through the base of a hill, about two miles, and is, passable. 

Q. What other curiosities are worthy of notice ? 

A. A natural bridge over Cedar creek, 90 feet long and 45 
feet wide, that is elevated above the water 200 feet, with an 
arch 60 feet thick, covered with stately trees. Also a cas- 
cade oh a branch of James river, 15 feet high. There are 
also many remains of ancient fortifications, which cover from 
two to ten acres of ground, similar to those mentioned in i 
Pennsylvania. 





VIRGINIA. 


109 


Q,. What may be considered the most sublime natural scene in 
this state ? 

A. The passage of the river Potomac, ifi conjunction with 
the Shenandoah, through the Blue ridge. Here a war of the 
elements forced an opening through the solid rock to the 
depth of several hundred feet, which gave vent for the wa 
ters of these two rivers, and united them in a broken torrent 
through the vast chasm of the mountain ; from thence, in u 
bold and gentle stream, they flow off to the ocean. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Virginia ? 

A. King James I. granted a patent of Virginia to the Lon 
don company, in 1606, that included all lands, &c. lying be 
tween 34 deg. and 41 deg. of north latitude. In May, 1607, a 
settlement commenced at Jamestown, under the direction of 
captain Newport. In June, captain Newort returned to Eng¬ 
land and left the colony under the government of captain John 
Smith. In the winter following Jamestown was burnt. 

In 1609, captain Nelson arrived from England with two 
ships, and augmented the colony to the number of 200 . The 
same year king James granted a new charter of Virginia to 
the London company, and they appointed lord De ia War, or 
Delaware, as governor, and sent out a company of settlers. 

In 1610, lord Delaware arrived in Virginia, and met the 
colony in the river, on their return to England. Their whole 
number then consisted of sixty only. The governor persua¬ 
ded them to return with him to Jamestown, which commenc¬ 
ed the first permanent settlement in the United States. The 
colony then amounted to 500. 

In 1619, the first representative assembly was held in Vir¬ 
ginia ; but there were not more than six or seven towns, in 
which settlements had commenced. In 1620, the London 
company sent out a new recruit of settlers of about 1200, to 
gether with about 90 chaste, virtuous young women, who 
were settled at a Village of their own, called Maids Town. 
These were sold to the planters at 120 pounds of tobacco 
each. The next year the company sent out 60 more, and 

Questions. —When was the first charter of Virginia granted ? 
When and where did the first settlement commence, and under whose 
government ? 

When was Jamestown burnt ? 

When.and under what circumstances did lord Delaware commence hie 
administration, and what was the number of the settlers ? 

When was the first representative assembly called ? 

10 





no 


UNITED STATES. 


the price was augmented to 150 pounds each. These were 
not the sales of slavery, but of hymenial enjoyments. The 
planters took to themselyes wives, and the purchase price 
went to pay the expense of the London company for trans¬ 
porting them. Tobacco was then valued at three shillings 
per pound ; but these debts claimed precedence of all oth¬ 
ers. From this time the company began to flourish. 

At this time, the settlement of Virginia had cost the Lon¬ 
don company more than £,\ 50,000 sterling, besides the ex¬ 
pense of private adventurers ; and more than 4000 lives had 
been lost. 

In 1624, king James I. caused writs of quo warranto , to be 
issued against the London company, and dissolved their char¬ 
ter ; and the government devolved upon the crown. 

The next year, king Charles I. succeeded to the throne of 
his father ; and he granted a new charter to Virginia, and ap¬ 
pointed sir John Harvey governor. This charter vested ab¬ 
solute powers in the governor arid council, and destroyed the 
free elective government of 1619. 

The Indians resented the rapacity of governor Harvey , en¬ 
tered the settlements upon James river, and murdered about 
500 people, in 1639. 

About the same time, governor Berkeley succeeded gov¬ 
ernor Harvey, and he restored the liberties of the first char¬ 
ter, by convening a free elective assembly. The colony be¬ 
gan again to flourish under his administration. But this was 
soon checked by the spirit of the people, which excited them 
to war, in order to revenge the late massacre of their friends. 
Along and bloody Indian war ensued ; but the savages were 
humbled, and peace was restored about the year 1649. 

In 1653, Oliver Cromwell became Lord High Protector of 
England, under the Commonwealth. Virginia neglected to 
acknowledge his authority ; but Cropwvell, who knew howto 

What particuHr measures did, the London eoriipany adopt to people 
the colony ? . 

What had been the expenses of the London company in 1620, in set¬ 
tling the colony, and how many lives had been lost ? 

When and in what manner did the government devolve upon the 
crown ? 

When and m what manner was the free elective government destroy¬ 
ed? 

When was the great Indian massacre at Jamestown? 

When and by whom were the liberties of the first charter restored ? 
When and why did an Indian war commence, and when was peace rc 
stored ? 






VIRGINIA. 


Ill 


| command, was determined to be obeyed ; he compelled the 
submission of Virginia, with a strong armament, and humbled 
) her during his administration ; and rigidly enforced the ob- 
I servance ol the navigation act. 

] In 1059, Cromwell died and was succeeded by his son, 
I Richard Cromwell ; but in 1060, king Charles I i was restor- 
I cd to the throne of England. Virginia had high expectations 
from Charles, because she had rejected the government of 
Richard Cromwell in 1059, and acknowledged the govern- 
1 ment of Charles II. one year before he was restored ; but 
li they were disappointed, for Charles treated them with more 
n severity than Cromwell Rad done. An Indian war soon fol- 
' lowed, and a rebellion under Bacon ; all which distressed the 
colony, and kept it low for mOye than 3,0 years. 

Virginia took an active part in (he old French and Indian 
war oi 1754—5, and sent out major George Washington to re- 
I duce the fortress, (fort Du Qsiesne) at the confluence of the 
iVLonongahela ; but the enterprise failed. The next year, 

! 1755, colonel Washington joined the British genaial Brad- 
dock, and advanced against fort Du Quesne ; and again the 
enterprise failed ; Braddoek was killed aud his army destroy¬ 
ed ; and colonel Washington ..conducted the letreat of the rem¬ 
nant of the army. In 17.5&, general Forbes, at the head of a 
respectable force, marched against fo.it Du Quesne, and the 
French abandoned the fortress. Virginia co-operatcd with 
the other colonies through the war, to the peace of 1763. 

In 1764, Great Britain commenced her system of taxation 
on her American colonies, aud in 1765. she passed the noted 
stampt act, (so called.) Virginia, by her resolutions, took 
the lead of the colonies jn resisting this act, which led to its 
repeal in 1766, She continued firmly to unite with the oth¬ 
er colonies in resisting those oppressive measures of Britain, 
that led to the revolution ;• and she not only entered with 
spirit into the measures of the first continental congress, at 
Philadelphia ; but she gave to the confederacy one of her 
citizens as commander-in-chief of the American army, in 
1775 ; besides a train of heroes and statesmen, who greatly 
promoted the success of the revolution. In 1776, the Brit 
ish laid in ashes the city of Norfolk. In 1779, sir Henry 

What measures did Oliver Cromwell pursue towards Virginia ? 

What measures did King Charles 11. pursue towards Virginia ? 

What w r ere the measures of Virginia in the old French war ? 

What measures did Virginia pursue under the oppressive acts of Brit 
a,in ? 



UNITED STATES. 


m 


Clinton sent a strong military force into Virginia, and ravaged 
<he country. In 1780, sir Henry Clinton sent another strong 
force into Virginia, that ravaged and laid waste the country. 
This force fell under the command of lord Cornwallis the 
next year, and the distresses ot Virginia continued until Corn¬ 
wallis and his whole army, were taken at York-Town. Octo 
her 19th, 1781. This put an end to the war. 

Virginia took the lead in calling a convention at Philadel¬ 
phia, to revise the old confederation, and frame the Federal 
constitution ; and she gave a president to that body. She 
was one of the first states to adopt the new constitution, and 
gave the first president to the new government. Virginia has 
given four presidents out of the six that have administered the 
national government. 

When was Norfolk burnt ? 

What were the other sufferings of Virginia in the revolutionary war 
What part did Virginia take in framing and adopting the Federal 
Constitution, and how many Presidents has she given to the 
new government ? 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

(^. What are thesituation and extent of North Carolina 

A. North Carolina is bounded on the N. by Virginia ; E. by 
the Atlantic ocean ; S. by South-Carolina ; and W. by Ten 
nessee. It is 430 miles long and 180 broad; and contains 
about 48,000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population r 

A. It is divided into 62 counties, after the manner of Vir¬ 
ginia, viz. Anson, Ashe, Reauforf, Bertie, Bladen, Bruns¬ 
wick, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarras, Camden, Carteret, Cas¬ 
well, Chatham, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland. 
Currituck, Duplin, Edge-comb, Franklin, Gates, Granville 
Greene, Guilfork. Halifax, Haywood, Hertford, Hyde, Iredell, 
Johnson, Jones, Lenoir, Lincoln, Martin, Mecklirt burgh, 
Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, 
Onslow, Orange, Pasquotank, Pitt, Perquimans, Person, Ran¬ 
dolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, 
Sampson, Stokes*, Surry, Tyrell, Wake, Warren, Washington, 
Wayne, and Wilkes ; these contain a population of about 
633,829 ; two thirds of which are slaves. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

V It is divided into three classes • the sand barrens on the 



NORTH CAROLINA. 113 

cast, the hill country in the centre, and the Allfeganies on the 
west. 

Q. What are the soil and productions? 

A. In the eastern section, it is barren ; in the middle, it is 
fertile.; and in the western, rough and broken. Its produc¬ 
tions are such »s are cornua on to the middle and southern stated 
Cotton, indigo, rice, and the sugar cane, ail flourish in this 
State. Tar, pitch and turpentine, are produced in great 
quantities on the pine* barrens. 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. Gold has beendound in Cabarras county, and in Meadow 
Creek, and other small streams, in such quantities, that in ten 
years, a value of more than 19,000 dollars has been sent to 
the mint of the United States. 

Q. What shrub is peculiar to this state ? 

A. The misleto is a shrub peculiar to. itself, and grows only 
upon the tops of other trees, by tixing its roots within the bark, 
like an inoculation ; and often exhausts and destroys the free 
on which it grows. 

Q Which are the principal capes ? 

A. Cape Fear, Hatteras, and Cape Lookout; all danger¬ 
ous shoals. 

Q. Which’ are the principal sounds and inlets ? 

A. Albemarle, Pamlico, and Core sounds; Currituck, 
Roanoke, and Ocracock inlets. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. Cape F^ar, Chowan, Roanoke, Neuse, Yadkin, Tar. 
and. Catawba. 

Q. Which are the principal swamps ? 

A. Great and Little Dismal, (See the atlas.) 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Raleigh city, is the capital, and stands upon one of the 
head branches of the Neuse, near which is Chapel Hill, 
the s 6 at of the North Carolina University Newbern, upon 
the Neuse, Is the largest commercial town. Fayettfille, at 
the head of boat nav igation, on Qa'pe Fear river, is the next 
in size to Newburn, and a very flourishing town. Edenton, 
Tarborough, Kingston, Wilmington, Hillsborough, Salisbu¬ 
ry, Halifax, Washington, and Greenville, are handsome 
towns. 

Raleigh, city, and metropolis ofN. Carolina, in Wake co. It is 
situated six miles W. of Neuse rir r, two and a ha 3. of Crab-tree 
creek, 10 from Wake court house, 27 N. W. Smith! d, 57 S. War- 
renton, 60 N. Fayetteville, 140 N. W. Newberri, lo4 S. W. Rich¬ 
mond, W. 288. Lon. 78. 48. W. Lat. 35. 47, N. Fop. 2,674; wf “ 
1,177; slaves 1,320; free people of colour 177. It has a pleasant ai 
evated situation, in a healthy country. It contains a state house, a 

10 * 




UNITED STATES. 


114 

House a jail, the governor's house, the secretary of States’office, a the 
atre a market house, two banks, two museums, two printing officer, tw r o 
a cademies, one for males and one for females, and four houses of public 
worship, of which one is for Presbyterians, one for Methodists and one 
for Baptists. In the centre of the town is union square, containing ten 
acres, from which extend four streets, dividing the city into four quar¬ 
ters. The four large streets are 99 feet wide ; the others 66. The 
state house stands in the centre of union square ; it is a large and 
handsome brick edifice, and contains an elegant marble statue of 
Washington, by Canova, the celebrated Italian sculptor. The tw* 
academies are respectable and flourishing seminaries, usually contain¬ 
ing together from 120 to 140 students. The trade of Raleigh is chiefly 
with Fayettville, Newbern and Petersburg. Boats have sometimes 
ascended the Neuse to within eight miles of Raleigh. Near the town 
is a quarry of excellent granite, and twelve miles distant one of hand¬ 
some soap stone. 

Q. What are the internal improvements of N. Carolina ? 

A. One canal has been opened from Little Dismal Swamp, 
to the head ofSknppernong river, and another is now opening 
through Great Dismal, to unite Pasquetank, and Elizabeth 
rivers, which has been noticed under Virginia. These will 
greatly improve the internal commerce of North Carolina, 

Q. What are the manufactures ? 

A. Tar, pitch and turpentine, are the principal ; but iron, 
paper, whiskey and peach brandy, are among their manufac¬ 
tures. 

Q. What is the commerce ? 

A. The exports of this State consist of tar, pitch, turpen¬ 
tine, rosin, lumber, tobacco, pork, tallow, bees-wax, myrtle- 
wax, maize or corn, furs, &c. Their imports consist of 
cheese, cider, apples, potatoes, iron, tin ware, furniture, hats, 
shoes and boots, carriages, &c. from the northern states.— 
Their foreign merchandize is principally from New York. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. There is a college at Chapel Hill, styled the University 
of North Carolina, which begins to flourish ; and academies 
are established in several towns. 

Q. What are the curiosities ? 

A. Pilot mountain, (so called by the Indians,) rises upon a 
broad circular base, like a pyramid, to the height of about one 
mile, where it shoots up in one solid column of rock, about 300 
feet, and terminates in a flat upon its summit. 

Q,. Is <his elevated tower accessible ? 

A. A pass has been explored, through difficult and danger¬ 
ous cavities and fissures in the rock, that leads to the top, 
from whence a prospect opens, both extensive and delightful 


NORTH CAROLINA. 


115 


HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of North Carolina ? 

A. In the year 1666, Commodore Laudonnier, was sent 
out from France, with three ships, to settle a colony in Flor¬ 
ida ; and in June, he built a fort on the river (May, or St. Ma¬ 
ry,) where he planted a colony of one hundred men, and cal¬ 
led the country Carolina, in honor of Charles IX. king of 
France. This is the first notice of N. Carolina. 

In August, of the same year, Commodore Ribault arrived 
with a colony of French Huguenots, to strengthen a colony at 
Fort Royal, which he had planted in the year 1542; but 
they were lost, and they joined the colony of Laudonnier, and 
Ribault became their governor. In September of the same 
year, Pedro Melanges, a Spaniard, with six ships, by order of 
Philip II. king of Spain, pursued Ribault and his little colony 
up the river ; landed a strong force of 200 soldiers and 2600 
planters, took his colony, and put them all to the sword, or 
hung them upon trees. When Melanges departed, he left this 
inscription for the dead : 

“They were hung as Lutherans not os Frenchmen 

To revenge this savage act, one Guerges, of Gascony, in 
France, fitted out three ships, as a private adventure, and sail¬ 
ed for Carolina, with one hundred and fifty soldiers and eigbt- 
ty seamen, where he found the Spaniards had erected three 
forts, and garrisoned them with from 60 to 100 men each.— 
Guerges landed his men, April 15th, 1567, and made known 
his object to the Indians, and requested their aid, which he 
readily obtained. Guerges commenced the attack and can ied 
the forts in sucession, and pul the garrisons to the sword, or 
hung them on gibbets. When lie departed he left this inscrip¬ 
tion : 

“They were hung as traitors, robbers, and murderers , not as 
Spaniards and mariners 

Guerges returned safe to France in June. 

The same distresses, and calamities awaited this colony that 
befel Virginia, viz. Indian wars and massacres, sickness, fam¬ 
ine and death. 

In the year 1606, King James divided the colony of Vir 
ginia into two parts, north and south, and South Virginia ex¬ 
tended to the 34 deg. of N. latitude, and included N. Caroli- 

Questions.—W hat were the adventures that led to the settlement 
and gave name to Carolina? 

What acts of cruelty were committed by the Spaniards, and hew were 
they revenged ? 





UNITED STATES. 


i 16 


nu. In the year 1624, King James revoked this charier. In 
the year 1625, King Charles I. succeeded to the throne, and 
granted a new charter to Sir Robert Heath, and he conveyed 
this province to Lord Matrovers, afterwards earl of Arundel 
and Surry. Upon the accession of Charles 11. in 1660, the 
patent of the earl of Arundel was declared void, “ because 
the conditions had not been fulfilled.” King Charles made a 
new grant to Edward, earl of Clarendon, George, duke of Al¬ 
bemarle, William, earl of Craven, John, lord Berkeley, An¬ 
thony, lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir John Calleton, 
and Sir William Berkeley, conveying in due form all the lands 
lying between the 31 deg. and 36 deg. of north latitude, and 
the Virginia seas on the east, and the Pacific ocean on the 
west, bearing date March, 1663. This charter was afterward 
extended to the 29th degree. 

Under this charter Carolina began to flourish, and continued 
to improve until she became respectable among the colonies. 

In 1669, a colony was planted at Port Royal, under the 
government of Capt. Sale. The same year Lord Ashley ob¬ 
tained of Mr. John Locke the constitution, so noted in Caroli¬ 
na ; and the first Assembly passed a body of laws for the se¬ 
curity of person and properly. 

In 1671, the colony of South Carolina was separated from 
the northern colony, but their history continued inseparably 
interwoven down to the time of the old French war, 1754.— 
The year 1675, is noted for Culpepper’s rebellion. Peace 
was restored. 

In 1679, persecutions recommenced, and the colony was 
again distracted with feuds, under the administration of Gov¬ 
ernor Sothel. 

1680, fifty families of French Huguenots arrived in North 
Carolina, for the purpose of introducing the culture of silk, 
raisins, capers, wax, almonds, oil, olives, &c. but the whole 
plan failed, and there were no general staples in the colony. 

Two circumstances brought these into notice. A ship 
from Madagascar bound to London, touched at the bar in 1722. 

When and to whom was the first charter of Carolina granted ? 

When and to whom was a second charter of Carolina granted ? 

When and by whom was the first constitution of CaroTina framed 
When were the two colonics divided ? 

When was Culpepper’s rebellion ? 

When did the Huguenot colony arrive in Carolina, and wliat was 
their object ? 





XORTII CAROLINA. 


117 


^nd gave the governor a small quantity of rice ; from this, 
rice became one of the staples of Carolina. 

the reign of Queen Ann, the Swedes, (who had hitherto 
furnished tar for the English navy.) became extravagant in 
their demands, and the Queen offered a large bounty upon 
tar, which encouraged the manufacture oftar in Carolina, and 
this became the other staple. 

Curing all this period there was not one clergyman in the 
county of Albemarle, and no regular mode of celebrating 
marriage. 

In 1694, the first general court was held, and in 1722, the 
first court-house was built. 

In the year 1690, a colony of French Huguenots arrived 
in Virginia from England, and in 1707, they removed into 
Carolina, and became useful and valuable inhabitants. 

In 1709, a Protestant colony of Palatines, from Germany, 
arrived by the way of England, and became also useful and 
valuable citizens. 

In 1711, the Tuscaroras, and other Indian tribes, commen ¬ 
ced a general massacre upon Albemarle county, which open¬ 
ed a general Indian war. This war raged with great violence 
through the year, and was closed in 1712. The Tuscaroras 
were expelled their country, and they removed north, -and 
joined the confederacy of the Five Nations, who since have 
been known by the name of the Six Nations. 

In 1738, Virginia and North Carolina settled their bounda¬ 
ry line. 

Soon after this,, a colony of Scotch Protestants arrived in 
Carolina from Ireland, where they settled, and became flour¬ 
ishing and respectable. 

In 1736, such was the scarcity of money, that the several * 
articles of traffic, (such as deer-skins, &.c.) were substituted 
by law, in the place of money, and made payable for quit- 
rents and other debts, at certain fixed prices; even judg¬ 
ments of courts were entered upon the dockets, as payable in 
those articles. 


What causes led to the staples of rice and far in Carolina ? 

When was the first general court held, and the first court-honso built * 
When did the second Huguenot colony arrive ? 

When did the German Protestant colony arrive ? 

When did the Tuscarora war commence, when did it end, and what 
was the result ? 

When did Virginia and Carolina settle their boundary line ? 

What Protestant colony arrived in Carolina about this time ? 

What were the current articles of traffic, instead of money * 





118 


UNITED STATES 


In the year 1753, a Moravian colony from Moravia, came 
into Carolina, and settled between the Dan and Yadkin riv* 
ers, where they built a village called Bethabara. In 1759, 
they built the village of Bethany, and in 1761, they commen¬ 
ced an extensive manufacturing establishment at Salem. 

In 1754, another Scotch colony came into Carolina, and 
settled near where Fayetteville now stands. The same year 
another Highland colony emigrated to Carolina, which led 
many of their Protestant brethren to follow them, and thus 
the religion of the reformation was transplanted into North 
Carolina. 

This year hostilities commenced in America, between En¬ 
gland and France, called the old French war ; and Carolina 
- uttered severely down to the peace of 1763. 

North Carolina co-operated with the other colonies in op¬ 
posing those oppressive measures of Great Britain, that led 
to the revolution, in 1775. She then entered with zeal into 
the revolutionary war ; and in 1777 adopted her present con¬ 
stitution. She was invaded and overrun by the British, un¬ 
der the command of Lord Cornwallis, in i780, and became 
‘be theatre of the southern war until the capture ol Corewal- 
Ji§ ttl 1 Gi kiOtVH, (Virginia*,) in 1781, which put a period to 
the war generally. 

North Carolina co-operated with-the other colonies in fram¬ 
ing and adapting the Federal Constitution ; and has uniformly 
continued a firm supporter of the national government. 

North Carolina has now become a rich and flourishing 
State. 

When and by whom were the villages of Bethabarq, «ind Bethany 
built ? 

When and by whom was Fayetteville settled ? 

When did the last Highland colony arrive, and wliat were the conse¬ 
quences ? 

What were the effects of the old Frencli war upon Carolina? 

What part did North Carolina take in the Revolutionary war 3 
What is her charactqr with regard to the Union ? 


SOUTH CAROLINA. 

<4. What are the situation and extent of South Carolina. 

A. South Carolina is bounded on the N. by North Caroli¬ 
na ; E. by the Atlantic ocean ; S. W. by Georgia. It is about 
200 miles long, and 125 broad ; and contains about 28,000 
sarjuarc miles. 




SOUTH CAROLINA. 


ny 


What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. South Carolina is divided into 28 districts, viz. Abbe 
ville, Barnwell, Beaufort, Charleston, Chester, Chesterfield. 
Colleton, Darlington, Edgefield, Fairfield, Georgetown. 
Greenville, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington 
Marion, Marlborough, Newberry, Orangeburgh, Pendleton. 
Richland, Spartanburgh, Sumpter, Union. Wiiliamsburgh, 
and \ork ; and these again into counties or parishes. Its 
population is 502,741. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. In the low country it is hot and unhealthy, but mild and 
salubrious in the upper or hill country. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. It is divided into what is. termed upper and lower coun¬ 
try. The latter is a dead level, and extends about 140 miles 
from the .sea, then rises into ridges, which commence the up¬ 
per country ; these ridges rise in succession until they ter¬ 
minate in the ApaJachian chain. 

Q. What arc the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil is generally good, especially upon the rivers, 
and in the upper country, and yields all the productions of 
N. Carolina ; but the principal are cotton and rice. Some of 
the tropica] fruits are found here, such as oranges, lemons, 
limes, figs, pomegranates, &c. The grape is more spontane¬ 
ous here than in any other part of the United States. North¬ 
ern or Irish potatoes do not flourish at the south, and they cul¬ 
tivate the sweet potato,e. 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. Gold, silver, lead, iron, copper, and black-lead ; to 
gether with precious stones, variegated crystals, cornelian 
and beautiful marble. Also, red 4 arvdyellow ochre, fine porce 
lain clay, fuller’s earth, chalk, alum, sulphur, nitre, vitriol.. 
marl, &c. 

Q.. Which are the principal islands ? 

A. Bull, Sullivan, James’, John’s, St. Helena, and others. 

Q. Which is the principal cape ? 

A. Cape Roman. 

Q. Which are its principal bays? 

A. Charleston, Beaufort, Georgetown and Winyaw. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. Savannah, Edisto, Santee, Congaree, Watpree* Pedee, 
Ashley and Cooper. 

Q. Which arc the principal towns ? • 

A. Charleston is a handsome commercial city ; Columbia, 
upon the Congaree, is the seat of government ; Beaufort, 
Georgetown, Granby, Camden, Purysburg, Jacksonsburg, Or- 


20 


UNITED STATES. 


angeburgh, Winnsborough, Statesburgb, and Cambridge, are 
flourishing towns. 

Charleston, city, and seaport town, S. C. in a district of the same 
name; 120 S. S. E. Columbia, 118 N. E. Savannah, 590 S. S. W, 
Baltimore, 780 S. S. W. New-York, W. 553. Lon. 79. 54. W. Lat. 
32. 47. N. Pop. in 1790, 16,359 ; in 1800, 18,712 ; in 1810, 24,711 ; 
11,668 whites and 13,048 blacks ; in 1820, 24,780 ; 5,323 free white 
males, 5,330 free white females ; 12,552 slaves ; 1,475 free people ol 
colour. 

It is situated on a tongue of land formed by the confluence of the 
rivers Cooper and Ashley, which unite just below the city, and form a 
spacious and convenient harbour, communicating with the ocean be¬ 
low Sullivan’s island, seven miles from Charleston. At the mouth oi 
the harbour, there extends from shore to shore, a sand bank, which 
though dangerous to vessels, has openings by which they are naviga¬ 
ted across it. The harbour is defended by fort Pinkney and fort John¬ 
son, which are on islands, the former two, and the latter, four miles 
below the city; and by fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s island. 

Charleston contains a state house,Ja city hall, a custom house, a guard 
house, a theatre, an orphan house, a hospital, an alms house, six 
banks, including a branch of the United States bank, a college edifice, 
now occupied by a classical school, and seventeen houses of public 
worship ; three for Episcopalians, three for Presbyterians, three for 
Methodists, two for Congregationalists, one for Lutherans, one for 
Roman Catholics, one for French Protestants, one for Baptists, one 
for Friends, and a Jew’s synagogue. Public worship is also held in 
the orphan house. There are six newspapers published here, four 
daily, and two thrice a week. The Charleston library contains about 
13,000 volumes, and the Franklin Library Society has about 2,000. 
The Orphan Asylum is a noble and well endowed institution, which 
supports and educates about 130 orphan children. Provision is made 
by the legislature for educating at the S. C. College, at the expense 
of the State, such boys as manifest extraordinary talents. There are 
several other charitable societies richly endowed, particularly the 
South Caiolina Society, the St. Andrew’s Society, and the Fellow¬ 
ship Society, instituted for the relief of widows and orphans. 

The city is regularly laid out in parallel streets, which are intersect¬ 
ed by others nearly at right angles. The tongue of land on which it 
is built, was originally indented with creeks and narrow marshes, 
which have been filled up, and it is drier and more elevated than most 
parts of the low country of S. Carolina. Many of the houses are ele¬ 
gant and furnished with piazzas. It is much the largest town in the 
state, and was formerly the seat of government. It has an extensive 
and flourishing commerce. The shipping owned here, in 1816, 
amounted to 36,473 tons ; in 1820, to 28,403 tons. The number of 
vessels which, in 1816, arrived here from foreign ports, was 337; 

' coastwise 882. 

The dreadful distemper, the yellow fever, has made frequent rava¬ 
ges in Charleston ; but its effects have been chiefly confined to persons 
.trom more northern situations; and the climate of the city is account¬ 
ed healthy to the native inhabitants, more so than that of other Atlan¬ 
tic towns in the southern states ; its superior salubrity attracts the 
planters from the surrounding country, and it is the fovourite resort of 


SOUTH CALOL1NA. 


12-J 


the wealthy from the West Indies. It affords much agreeable society, 
and is reckoned one of the gayest towns in the U. States. 

Q. What are the commerce and manufactures of South Carolina^ 

A. Intligo was formerly an-article of great export; but this- 
has given place to cotton, which has become the staple. The 
exports of rice often amount to 140 or li>0,000 barrels year 
ly. Domestic manufactures are general ; but extensive or.am 
^factories are not yet established. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. This is rapidly improving. They have five colleges 
and several of them begin to flourish. The State has appro 
priated $30,000 annually, tor the benefit of free schools, 
j Q. What are the internal improvements ? 

A. The canal connecting the Santee with Cooper’s river, 
is 22 miles long, and admits boats of 20 tons to pass. Charles¬ 
ton bridge over Ashley and Cooper’s river is 2,100 feet long, 
and 30 broad, with a causeway of nearly a mile in length. 

Q. What Indians reside in this State ? 

A. The Catavvba^ at Catawba village, about 450 in num 
her. 


HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of South Carolina ? 

A. South Carolina was included in a grant to the Earl of 
Clarendon, and others, in 1683, and its history has been car¬ 
ried forward in the history of North Carolina generally, down 
to the commencement of the old French and Indian war. 

Although the two governments were distinctly formed, so 
early as the latter plart of the 17th century, yet the division 
fine was never attempted to be run, until 1737, and then but 
partially. In 1764, it was-again attempted, and failed in part; 
and in 1771, the king directed governor Martin to cause the 
line to he finished ; but it again failed, and was not resume# 
until several years afterwards. 

The two colonies united their efforts to suppress the ravw 
ges of the Cherokees, in 1758, when general Forbes expel¬ 
led the French from fort Duquesne ; and by the aid of New 
York and Virginia, they succeeded, and peace was restored 
in 1760. 

Questions. —What connection is there in the early history of N 
and S. Carolina ? , 

When were the two governments distinctly formed, and when was 
the division line run ? 

When did they unite in humbling tlje Cherokees, ana what memtfra 
ble event took place at this time ? 

11 






1S2 


UNITED STATES. 


At this time serious disputes arose between South Caroli' 
nap, and her crown governor, as was then common to all the 
other colonies that had governors appointed by the crown ; 
in the year 1764, they obtained his removal, and Governor 
Tryon was appointed his successor, and continued to the com¬ 
mencement of the revolution. 

South Carolina co-operated with the other colonies in re¬ 
sisting the stamp act, and other oppressive measures of Great 
Britain, that led to the revolution. She entered with zeal 
and spirit also into the war. 

In 1779, Charleston, her capital, was invaded by the Brit¬ 
ish, and the State suffered severely ; but the enemy were re¬ 
pulsed with loss and disgrace, and driven out of the State. 

In 1780, the British again inv aded the State of South Car¬ 
olina, under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, and Charles¬ 
ton was taken on the 12th 'of May. The State was overrun 
by Lord Cornwallis, and became a theatre of war from that 
time, until the cessation of hostilities, at the close of 1781. 

In January 1782, governor Rutledge called an assembly at 
Jacksonborough, and they chose John Matthews their gover¬ 
nor. On the 14th of December following, Charleston was 
evacuated by the British v and tranquillity was restored. 

South Carolina took an active and zealous part in framing 
the Federal Constitution ; wias one of .the eleven States that 
promptly adopted it; and lias ever continued a firm and zeal¬ 
ous supporter ofth government of the Union. 

When was their crown governor removed, and why ? 

What part did S. Carolina act under the stamp act, and in the Revo¬ 
lutionary war ? 

When did the British first invade S. Carolina, and with.what success? 
When and with what success did ihey make the second invasion ? 
When did the British evacuate Charleston ? 

What part did S. Carolina take in framing and adopting the Federal 
Constitution, and what is her character as a member of th# 
Union ? 


GEORGIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Georgia ? 

A. Georgia is bounded on the N. by Tennessee ; N. E. by 
Ssuth Carolina ; S. by Florida ; and W. by Alabama. It is 
2.70 miles long and 260 broad ; and contains about 60,000 
square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 4 districts, Eastern, Western, $forih- 





GEORGIA. 


123 


era, and Southern, which include 47 counties, viz. Applilfcg, 
Baldwin, Bryan, Bullock, Burke, Camden, Chatham, Clarke, 
Columbia, Earley, Elbert, Emanuel, Effingham, Franklin, 
Glynn* Greene, Gwinnet, Habersham, Hall, Hancock, Irwin, 
Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jones, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, 
Madison, M’Intosh, Montgomery, Morgan, Oglethorpe, Pulas¬ 
ki, Putnam, Rabun, Richmond, Scriven, Tatnall, Telfair, 
Twiggs, Walton, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wilkes nnd 
Wilkinson. Its population is 341,000. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. Like Virginia and Carolina, it is entirely level about 50 
or 60 miles from the sea ; it then begins to rise into broken 
ridges, until it includes the Appalachian chain. 

Q. What are the climate soil and productions ? 

A. The same as South Carolina ; cotton and rice are the 
staples. The tea plant has been introduced from China, and 
promises some success. It is supposed that coffee will flour¬ 
ish in Georgia. 

Q. Which are the mineral springs ? 

A. Those known by the name of Cobb’s springs, in Jeffer¬ 
son county; are so much frequented, that the accommodations 
form a little village. Another spring rises from the trunk ofa 
hollow tree, and forms a white crust upon the inner surface. 

Q. Which are the principal islands ? 

A. Saint Catherine’s, .Tybee', Wassaw. Sapelo, Frederica, 
St. Simons’, Jekyl, and Cumberland, which are generally ve¬ 
ry fertile. 

Q. Which are the principal lakes and swamps ? 

A. Lake or swamp, Ouaquafinagaw, (pronounced Okefo- 
noge.) 300 miles in circumference, which is the source of the 
rivers St. Mary’s and Juan. 

Q. Which are its principal rivers? 

A. The Savannah, Ogechee, Alatamaho, Chatahooche, and 
others. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Savannah, the commercial capital ; Augusta, a flourish¬ 
ing place of inland trade, at the falls of the Savannah ; Mid- 
Iedgeville, the seat of government ; and Athens. 

Savannah, city, and port of entry, Chatham, co. Georgia, on SW. 
bank of the Savannah, 17 miles from its mouth ; 118 S W. Charleston, 
1.23 SE. Augusta, 160 ESE. Milledgeville, W. 658. Lon. 81. 10. W. 
—Lat.32. 8.N. Pop. in 1810, 5,195 ; in 1820, 7,523; slaves 3,175 ; 
free blacks 582. It is situated on a sandy plain, elevated about 40 feet 
above low tide, and contains a court house, a jail, an alms-house, a 
hospital, a theatre, a public library*, an academy, an exchange, three 
banks, including a branch of the United States bank; and seven hou¬ 
ses of public worship, one for Presbyterians, one for Episcopalians, 


UNITED STATES, 


124 

one for Lutherans, one for Methodists, one for Baptists, one for lie 
man Catholics, and a Jewish Synagogue. 

The academy is built of brick and stone, 180 feet by 60, of three 
stories. The exchange is a brick edifice of five stories. The new 
Presbyterian church, recently erected, is a very spacious and elegant 
edifice of stone. The city a few years since was almost wholly built 
of wood, with a few elegant houses, but a large proportion of the hou¬ 
ses recently erected, are handsomely built of brick. Savannah has 
heretofore been accounted yery unhealthy during the summer and au¬ 
tumn, but the salubrity of the place is now much improved by appro¬ 
priating to a dry culture, those lands in its immediate vicinity, which 
were formerly appropriated to the culture of rice. 

The city is regularly laid out, and contains ten public squares, each 
consisting of two acres, with a pump in the centre. The squares and 
public walks are planted with china trees, which contribute much to 
:he ornament, comfort, and salubrity of the place. Savannah is the 
great emporium of the state, and is a place of much trade. In nine 
months, ending June 30, 1817, there were exported 107,3*0 bales of 
cotton, 3,605 hhd's. of tobacco, 11,228 tierces of rice; total value 
0,966,503 dollars : and in 6 months, ending the 31st of March, 1818, 
61,797 bales of cotton, 13,680 tierces of rice, and l, 00 hbds. of tobac¬ 
co. The shipping belonging to this port, in 1821, amounted to 10.826 
tons. Vessels drawing fourteen feet of water come up to the wharves ; 
larger vessels take in their cargoes at Five Fathom Hole, three miles 
below the town. On the east side of the city is Fort Wayne ; at Five 
Fathom Hole is Fort Jackson ; and on Tybce island, near the mouth 
of the river, there is a lighthouse. On the tenth of January, 1820, 
4G3 buildings were destroyed in this city by fire. The damage was 
estimated at 4,000,000 dollars. The part burnt has been since mostly 
rebuilt with brick, in an improved style. 

Q. What is the commerce of Georgia ? 

A. Colton, rice, lumber, tobacco, deer skins, corn or 
■maize, &c. are the principal exports. 

Q. What is the state of education ? 

A. The legislature of Georgia have adopted a general sys¬ 
tem of education, by establishing a college at Athens, styled 
Franklin college ; and by providing for the establishment of 
.me academy in each county ; all which are to be united un¬ 
der the name of the Georgia University. The education or 
school fund of Georgia, amounts to $500,000. 

Q. What are the curiosities ? 

A. A bed of oystershel!s,near Augusta, about 90 miles from 
ihe sea ; this bed commences at Eutaw springs, in South Car¬ 
olina, and extends west to the Chickasaw bluffs, “ It is gen¬ 
erally believed that all the flat country, in the southern states 
and Florida, was once covered with the ocean.” 

A cataract, called Tuscan Falls, 133 feet perpendicular, in 
ihe north-west section of the State. Also a stream of water 
issuing from Nickojack Cave, (so called,) which has been as. 



GEORGIA. .125 

cended in a canoe, through the subterraneous passages 3 
miles. 

Q. What Indian tribes dwell in this state ? 

A. The Cherokees dwell in the northern part, and the 
Creeks in the. south-western section. 

Q. What military stations are in this State P 

A. l'orts Hawkins, Early, Gaines, and Scott. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of G eorgia ? 

A. Georgia was originally a part of Carolina, by the patent 
of Charles II. to the Earl of Clarendon, and others, until the 
year 1732, when king GeoYge II. granted a charter to a com¬ 
pany in England, for the settlement of that part of Georgia, 
lying between the Savannah and Alatamaha rivers. The com¬ 
pany appointed Lord Percival their president, and ordered a 
common seal, &c. Sir William Heathcote pursued the plan, 
and raised a very considerable sum, among the higher orders 
in England, by way of contribution, and parliament gave afur- 
ther encouragement to the plan, by a grant of £10,000. In 
the month of December of the same year, a colony of about 
116 labourers, accompanied by general Oglethorpe, embark¬ 
ed in England, and arrived in Carolina on the 18th of Janua¬ 
ry, 1733. They were soon furnished with stock, tools, rice, 
Lc. necessary to commence their labours, and proceeded on 
to Georgia, where they all arrived safe ; and on the 9th of 
February, commenced the settlement of the town of Savan¬ 
nah. Carolina was very liberal in forwarding and promoting 
the settlement of this colony. 

The trustees considered the province as a frontier, and 
therefore framed and adopted a feudal, or military govern¬ 
ment. cr 

This government in Georgia proved as ruinous as the con 
stitution of Mr. Locke had done before to Carolina : the set¬ 
tlers fled the province. That part of the constitution that 
excluded negroes and rum, was wise in itself; but when taken 
in connection with the general plan, greatly facilitated the ru¬ 
in of the colony. To remedy these evils, parliament aug 
rnented their grants to £36,000, to assist the trustees in carry¬ 
ing forward their plan ; but the colony languished. The 

Questions. —When and to whom was the first charter of Georgia 
granted ? 

What measures were pursued for the settlement of Georgia ? 

What system of government was first adopted, and with what eueces? 

11* 





UNITED STATES. 


\0 

ir.uale.es continued to exert themselves, and one colony from 
the highlands of Scotland, of about 30, was transported to 
Georgia, and built the town of Inverness, upon the Altamaha. 
About the same time a colony of about 70 from Germany, em¬ 
barked for Georgia, under Mr. James Oglethorpe, and com¬ 
menced a German settlement. Georgia now contained about 
600 settlers. But such was the character of the govern- j 
meat', and the settlers combined, that all was distress and con¬ 
fusion, down to the year 1752, when the trustees despairedof 
success, and resigned up their charter to the crown ; and 
Georgia became a royal government. - 

The King ordered a regular colonial government for Geor¬ 
gia, upon the plan of the other royal governments in America, 
and appointed John Reynolds their first governor. With the 
change of government a general change commenced, and 
Georgia began to thrive and flourish, like the other colonies. 
She took no active part in resisting the stamp act, alter the 
old-French and Indian war, and/did not become the 13th 
State in the confederacy, until some time alter the revolution 
, commenced. 

In the year 1778, the British forces invaded Georgia, over¬ 
ran the country, and took possession of Savannah. -Notwith¬ 
standing' great and powerful efforts were made to dislodge j 
them, they held possession, and continued to ravage the coun¬ 
try to the 11th ol July, 1782, when Savannah was evacuated 
by the enemy, as one of histirst expressions of peace. 

In May, 1787, Georgia cp-ope rifted with the other states j 
in framing and adopting the Federal Constitution, and has con¬ 
tinued a firm friend to the National Goveiinment. 

What were the successive efforts that were made fiom time to time to I 
settle Georgia, and what was the result in 1752 ? 

What change of government then--took place, and what were the ef¬ 
fects ? 

What part did she take under the stamp act, and when did she unitt 
in the war of the revolution ? 

When was Georgia invaded and overrun by the British, and when was 
Savannah evacuated ? 

What part did Georgia take in the Federal Government, and what is 
her character in relation to the Union ? 


ALABAMA. 

Q,. What are the situation and extent of Alabama ? 

A. Alabama is bounded on the N. by Tennessee ; E. by 
Georgia and Florida ; S. by Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, 







ALABAMA, 


127 


and W. by Louisiana and Mississippi states. It is 317 miles 
long and 174 broad ; and contains about 46,000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 34 counties, viz. Autauga, Baldwin;. 
Bibb, Blount, Butler, Cataco, Clark, Conecuh, Covington, 
Dallas, Decatur, Franklin, Greene, Henry, Jackson, Jetl'er- 
son, Lauderdale, Limestone, Lawrence, Madison, Marengo, 
Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Marion, Morgan, Fercey, Fir¬ 
kins, Pike, St. Clair, Shelby, Tuscaloosa, Wilcox, and Wash¬ 
ington. Its population is 140,000. 

Q, .What is the climate ? 

A. It is hot and unhealthy in the south, excepting about 
Mobile bay ; but temperate and salubrious in the middle and 
northern parts’. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. It is mountainous on the north, excepting the vale of the 
Tennessee, hilly in the middle, and level on the south. 

Q. W 7 hat are the soil and productions ? 

A. r l he soil is in general remarkably, fertile, producing 
corn, cotton, sugar,, oranges &c.* 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. The banks of the Black Warrior abound with stone 
coal. * 

Q. W r hieh are the principal rivers? 

A. Alabama, Tornbigbee, Black Warrior, Cocsa, Tallapoo¬ 
sa, Perdido, ; nd a section of the Tennessee. Within this 
section of the Tennessee are the Muscle-shoals, which are 
about 280 miles from its mouth, and about the same from the 
great whirl orsuck, where it passes through the Cumberland 
mountains. * 

Q. Which are the principal swamps ? 

A. These are numerous in the rainy season ; but they be¬ 
come dry generally, in dry seasons. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Mobile and Blakely, upon Mobile bay, are flourishing 
commercial towns ; Cahawba is the seat of government ; 
Huntsville and Florence, dre flourishing settlements upon the 
Tennessee river. 


t A gentleman from Pennsylvania, who resided several years at St. 
Stephen’s, near Mobile bay, thus remarks : “ On the same plantation 
I have seen the applo, cherry, orange, fig, quince,Irish potatoe, wheat, 
rye, buck-wheat, flax, cotton, and sugar cane grew well ; nearly all 
which excel.” He also adds, “ the groves of white oak on the mar¬ 
gins of rivers ; and th© groves of red q- dar, pine, arid cypress are e.v 
ttnsiva.” 



128 


UNITED STATES. 


Mobile, city, port *f entry, and capital Mobile co. Alabama, on W. 
side of the river of the same name, at its entrance into Mobile bay, 30 
N. Mobile point, which is on the E. side of the mouth of the bay, 55 
\Y. by N. Pensacola, 10 W. by S. Blakely, 90 by land and 120 by wa¬ 
ter S. St. Stephen’s, 150 S. by W. Cahawba, 1G0 ENE. New Orleans., 
YY. 1,086. Lon. 88. 21. W.—Lat. 30. 40. N. Pop. in 1813, about 140 
whites, exclusive of those connected with the garrison, and a some¬ 
what larger number of people of colour ; in 1818, 1,127; 604 whites.; 
in 1822, estimated at 2,800. It contains a court house, a jail, a bank. 
2 printing offices, 2 houses of public worship, one Protestant, the other 
Catholic ; six wharves, one hundred and ten stores and ware house?, 
and two hundred and forty dwelling houses. The buildings are gen¬ 
erally of wood, and those recently erected, are mostly of two stories. 
The site is on a beautiful and extensive plain, elevated about fifteen 
feet above the level of high tides, and open to refreshing breezes from 
the bay, of which it commands a handsome prospect. The streets are 
generally of good width, and most of them intersect each other at 
right angles. The approach to the harbour, for vessels drawing more 
than eight feet of water, is circuitous and difficult. Within a low- 
grassy island, which lies opposite to the town, there is a good shelter 
for vessels. 

Mobile was first settled about 1700. It was taken possession of by 
the United States, in 1813, at which time it contained about 100 hous¬ 
es, mostly mean, decaying wooden buildings, of one story. It was in¬ 
corporated as a city in 1319, and has become a place of flourishing 
commerce. During the year ending September 30, 1821, 25,390 bales 
of cotton were shipped from this port. The number of clearances, in 
1818, was 274, and of entrances, including barges and keel boats, 360. 
The value of importations was estimated at upwards of 3,000,000 dol¬ 
lars. The shipping belonging to this district,-in 1818, amounted to 
2,216 tons. 

Q. YVhat is the commerce of Alabama ? 

A. Cotton is the staple, and the great article'of export. 

Q. What military stations are in this State? 

A. Forts Stoddard, Claiborne, and Jackson. 

Q. What Indian tribes reside in this State ? 

A. The Creeks, who inhabit about 30 towns or villages, 
and have a population of about 20,000. 

Q. What is the character of this tribe ? 

A. They have become so far civilized as to live under 
regular civil laws ; cultivate the mechanical arts, &c. They 
have made very considerable progress in husbandry, and the 
general improvements of civilized life. 

HISTORY. 

What is the history of Alabama ? 

A. Alabama formerly belonged to Georgia, and was in part 
a t heatre of the well known Georgia speculation. The lands 


ALABAMA. 


1.2$ 

sold at that time, lay upon and between the rivers Tombigbee 
and Yazoo. 

In 1817, Alabama was erected into a Territorial govern¬ 
ment, and in 1819, it became a State, and was admitted into 
the Union. 

By the late treaty with the Cherokees, known by the name 
of Jackson’s treaty, they ceded to the United States about 
17,000 square miles, lying within the State of Alabama, equal 
to 10,880,000 acres. 

It is so far believed that most of the tropical productions 
will flourish near the Gulf coast, that Congress have granted 
29,160 acres of lan l, upon theCre *k cession in tins State, to 
a comp my of French emigrants, on condition that they shall in* 
troduce the culture of the vm? an! olive. It is also in con¬ 
templation to introduce the tea-plant. 

Questions. —What State formerly possessed Alabama, and what lands 
were sold under their speculation ? 

When was Alabama admitted into the Union ? 

What treaty has lately been made with the Cherokees, and what was 
the result ? 

What grant of lands has Congress made in this State and for what 
purpose ? 

What further improvements are intended? 


FLORIDA* 

Q. What are the situation and extent' f Florida ? 

A. Florida is bounded N*. by Alabama and Georgia ; E. by 
the Atlantic ocean ; S. and W. by the Gulf of Mexico and Ala¬ 
bama. It is about 4 )0 miles long, and from 40 to 400 broad ; 
and contains 45,000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. These remain as when under the government of Spain, 
and are unknown. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. r l he climate in many parts near the coast is tempered 
by the sea breezes, and the interior is represented as very 
similar to Georgia. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. It is generally level, excepting the peninsula, which is 


* Although Florida is now a Territorial government, the Author 
has thought proper to consider it here, because it will doubtless soor^ 
become a State, and then will hold this relation to the other states. 








<130 UNITED STATES. 

intersected by a limestone ridge, that extends through the 
middle of it. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. “ The flat and sandy shores of East Florida, apparently 
the most barren, produce two crops of Indian corn in a year ; 
and orange and lemon trees grow, without cultivation, to a 
larger size than in Spain and Portugal, and bear better Fruit. 
Lands bordering upon the river St. John’s, and in the interior, 
are represented as remarkably fertile, and well adapted for 
large plantations. All the numerous productions common to 
(he southern states, and the south of Europe, are cultivated 
in Florida. The cochineal is found here. The forests abound 
with live-oak, and magnolia ; the former is remarkable for the 
durability of its timber, and the latter for its majestic height, 
and beautiful flowers, 8 or 9 inches in diameter. 

Q. What island lies upon the coast of Florida? 

A. Amelia Island, which has become a military station, off 
the St. Mary’s. Also the Island of Matanzas, off the harbour 
of St. Augustine, which is principally solid rock, from which 
the fort and houses in St. Augustine, are chiefly built. 

Q. What are the minerals? 

A. lion, copper, quick-silver, precious stones and coal- 

Q. Which are the principal rivers 5 

A. St. John’s is the principal river of East Florida. Apa¬ 
lachicola divides East and West Florida, where it falls into the 
Gulf of Mexico. The others are, Nassau, St. Nicholas, C o- 
relia, St. Pedro, St. Mark’s, &c. 

Q. Which arq the chief towns? 

A. Pensacola, the capital of West Florida, is situated upon 
a safe and commodious bay, and is a place of considerable 
trade. 

St. Augustine, the capital of East Florida, is situated upon 
the coast, and defended by a castle, called Fort St. Mark’s, 
and is a place of some strength. It contains about 500 houses, 
neatly built of stone, and a population of about 5,000. 

Pensacola, sea port, and chief town in West Florida, on the west 
side of Pensacola bay, 9 miles above fort Barancas, at the entrance of 
the bay ; 55 E. by S. Mobile, 80 SSE. Claiborne, 145 S. Cahawba. 
Lon. 87. 12. W.—Lat. 30. 28. N. Pop. 1822, about 1,600 ; 1,100 
French and Spanish, 500 Americans. The population is said to have 
once amounted to 5 or 6,000 ; but the town declined after it was ta¬ 
ken from the English by the Spaniards, in 17K1 ; since it has come 
into the possession of the United States, it has begun to increase. It 
has a spacious Spanish church and some large houses of wood and 
brick, but they have generally an aspect of decay. It has a pleasant 
situation, on a dry, sandy plain, elevated eighteen or twenty feet 
ibjjve the level of the ocean, and has ever been remarkable for its sa> 


FLORIDA. 


131 


Iqbrity. Its healthiness is attributed to the breeze from the bay, and 
'• the dryness sf the air, there being no 6\vamps in the vicinity. The 
harbour is very excellent, safe from all winds, having 21 feet water 
at the entrance, gradually deepening to 7 or 8 fathoms. The bay is 
15 miles long, and from 3 to nearly 7 wide, and receives the waters of 
the Conecuh, Escambia, and Almirantc rivers, it is completely land¬ 
locked, and safe from all winds. This is the only commodious har¬ 
bour for large ships, belonging to the U. States in the gulf of Mexico. 

Q. What is the commerce of Florida? 

A. Florida enjoyed but fevy commercial advantages under 
the Spanish government ; but her commerce will soon be¬ 
come respectable under the government of the United States. 

Q. What are the internal improvements ? 

A. A canal is in contemplation through the river St. John’s 
or St. Mary’s, or both, to unite the Gulf of Mexico and the 
Atlantic ; length of the canal from 12 to 18 miles. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Florida ? 

A. Florida was discovered by John Cabot in 1497. It 
was again visited in 1502, and the romantic circumstance that 
led to this adventure, as related*by Doctor Williamson, may 
not be unworthy of notice. 

“ It had been reported a fetv years after the discovery of 
America,” says the Doctor, that in Bimini, one of the Bahama 
islands, there was a fountain that had the marvellous and hap- 
py'power of restoring youth and vigor to aged persons, who 
should bathe in its waters. Juan Ponce de Leon, a wealthy, 
but aged inhabitant of Porto Rico, believed the story, and 
sailed in quest of the grand restorative. Stretching to the 
west he discovered land in March, the Sabbath before Easter, 
which the Spaniards call Pasgua de Flores, for which reason 
he called the country Florida. Ponce de Leon dipped himself 
in every stream or fountain that he saw ; no Bramin or Ma- 
homedan could match him in ablutions, but he returned an 
older man. Failing in his attempts to recover youth, he re- 
! solved to increase his wealth at the expense of the natives : 
and for this purpose Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spaniard, obtained 
a commission to explore and conquer ; and in 1513, he en¬ 
tered upon the coast of Florida, and began a settlement, which 
laid the foundation of the claims of Spain.” 

In 1563, commodore Laudonnie.r sailed from France with 
three ships, to plant a colony in Florida. He landed in June, 
and built a fort upon the river St. Mary’s, and left a colony of 
100 men, and called it Carolina, in honour of king Charles IX\ 







132 


UNITED STATES. 


This commenced the claims of France to Florida. The next 
year the Spaniards dispossessed the French and held the 
country until the close of the seven years ivar, when it was 
ceded to the English, in exchange for the Havanna, on the 
island of Cuba, by the peace of 1763,and they divided it into 
East and West Florida. Spain again took possession of Flor¬ 
ida in the year 1781, and Great Britian confirmed Florida to 
Spain by the treaty of Paris, 1783. 

In 1818, General Jackson pursued the Seminole Indians in¬ 
to Florida, and took possession of St. Mark’s. The next year 
the government of the United States restored it to Spain. 

In 1821, Spain ceded the Floridas to the United States, and 
Congress erected Florida into a Territorial government, and 
appointed General Jackson governor. 

Questions. — When, and by whom was Florida discovered? 

What adventure originated the name of Florida 
When and how did the claims of France commence ? 

When and how did the claims of Spain an > Great Britain commence ;* 
When was Florida restored to Spain ? 

When was Florida ceded to the 0. States, and who was the first gov¬ 
ernor ? 


LOUISIANA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Louisiana ? 

A. Louisiana is bounded on the N. by Arkansaw territory 
and state of Mississippi ; E. and S. by the state of Mississippi 
and the gulf of Mexico. The eastern boundary line is formed 
by the river Mississippi from latitude 33 deg. to 31 deg. north, 
thence by the parallel of 31 deg. to Pearl river, thence by 
that stream to its mouth. The Gulfof Mexico forms the 
southern boundary, and Sabine river the western from its 
mouth to latitude 32 north ; thence the boundary line pro¬ 
ceeds due north to latitude 33, thence due east to the Missis¬ 
sippi. It is 240 miles long, and 210 broad ; and contains 
about 48,000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 25 parishes, or- commandaries, (so 
termed by the French,) viz. Ascension, Assumption, Avoy¬ 
elles, Baton Rouge, (West,) Concordia, Iberville, Interior of 
La Fource, Natchitoches, co, Ouachitta, Ocatahoola, New 
Orleans, Plaquemines, Point Coupee, co. Rapides, St. Bar¬ 
nard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John Baptiste, Opelousas, co. 
Attakapas, co. Baton Rouge, (East,)New Feliciana, St, Helena, 






LOUISIANA. 



•N. Tammany. Its population is 153,407. A very consider 
able proportion of this population is French and Spanish. 

Q. What is the face of the country near tho Gulf of Mexico ? 

A. It is a low, level tract, like the country of Holland, and 
the Delta of Egypt, and is intersected in numerous directions, 
by the outlets and branches of the Mississippi. The land be 
low New Orleans, to the mouth of the river, is lower than its 
banks, and the country adjoining is secured against freshets by 
levees or dikes, as in Holland. When these are overpowered 
and broken down by the floods, great damage is done by the 
inundations. 

Q. How many mouths has the Mississippi ? 

A. The Mississippi has six mouths, called the West, South* 
west, South-main, or North-east, North, and Pass a la Loutre • 
and these contain from eight to twelve feet of water on the 
bars ; but the clay bottom promises that the channels may be 
deepened vvith success. 

Q. How is the Island of Orleans situated ? 

A. It is bounded on the N. and E. by the river Iberville 
k and lakes Maurepas, and Pontchartrain ; and on the S. and 
SW. by the Mississippi river, ft is.about 160 miles long, and 
from 3 to 50 broad. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. New Orleans is the capital, and the only town of any 
note. 

New-Ori.kans, city, port of entry, and cap. Louisiana, in a parish 
and on an island of the same name ; 105 miles by the course of the 
river, above the bar at. the mouth of the Mississippi, and about 90 in 
a direct line, W. 1,260. bon. 90. 8. W.—Lat. 29. 57. N. Pop. in 1802. 
10 or 11,000 ; in 1810, 17,242 ; in 1820, 27,176. The city is on the 
left bank of the Mississippi, but so situated on a bend that it faces to 
the east. It is regularly laid out; the streets are generally 40 feet 
wide, and intersect each other at right angles. On the streets near 
the river, the houses are principally of brick, but in the back parts e* 
the town they are mostly of wood. Tho buildings have no cellar? 
except the space between the ground and the lower floors, which are 
raised five or six feet from the earth. Most of the houses in the sub 
urbs have beautiful gardens, ornamented with orange groves. 

The country here is lower than the surface of the river, which is 
confined within its channel by an artificial embankment, called the* 
Levee , raised at great expense, and extending from Fort Plaquemine* 
43 miles below the city, to 120 miles above it. It is about 4 feet high. 
and fifteen wide. It is directly in front of the town, and affords a ver* 
pleasant walk. The city contains a court house, a jail, a mark©}, 
house, an arsenal, a governor’s palace, a custom house, a hospital, c* 
French theatre, an elegant English theatre, which cost upwards of 
100,000 dollars, a Catholic college, a female orphan asylum, a riunne 
xy, 3 insuiance offices, 5 banks, 1 of which is a branch of the Unitec*. 
States bank, and 3 houses of public worship ; l for Roman Catholics 



134 


UNITED STATES. 


i for Episcopalians, and 1 for Presbyterians. There are also two cha¬ 
pels and a hall where public worship is celebrated. Most of the public 
buildings are large and handsome. The Catholic cathedral church is 
a large and elegant edifice. The Presbyterian church, is a spacious 
and handsome edifice of brick and stone. 

The buildings of the city were formerly almost entirely of wood, 
but those recently erected are, for the most part, handsomely built of 
brick ; and the place is of late, in various respects, very rapidly impro¬ 
ving. The population is fast increasing by accessions from all the 
states in the Union, and from almost every kingdom in Europe. The 
French language fifteen years ago, was here almost universal, but at 
present the English predominates. There are five newspapers pub¬ 
lished in the city, 3 of which are printed in English, the other two both 
in French and English. 

New-Orleans is admirably situated for trade, near the mouth of one 
•f the noblest rivers in the world, whose numerous branches extending 
many hundred miles in different directions, waft to this port the pio- 
ducts of various climates ; audit is already become one of the great¬ 
est emporiums of commerce in America. The shipping belonging to 
this port, in 1821, amounted to 38,851 tons. The number of arrivals 
and clearances in ayear, ending October 1st, 1815, was 623 ; in 1816, 
699; and in 1817, 1,030. In the year ending October 1st, 1817, 1,500 
fiat bottomed boats, and 500 barges arrived at the city, from the up¬ 
per country, bringing its productions. The exports for the year, end¬ 
ing October 1st, 1817, amounted to $13,501,036,72.—The following is 
a view of the quantity of some of the principal articles of domestic 
produce,that arrived at New-Orleans in the year ending October 1st. 
1817: bacon 18,000 cwt. ; beef 4,000 bbls ; cotton 65,000 bales ; corn 
140,090 bush. ; molasses 500,000 galls,; sugar 20,000 hhds. ; taffia 
150,000 galls. ; tobacco 28,000 hhds. ; flour 190,000 bbls.; lead 7,000 
cwt. ; wheat 95,000 bush.; whiskey 150,000 galls. 

In 1819, there were 50 steam boats navigating the river Mississippi, 
and its tributaries, and their number is increasing. 

The British made an attack on New-Orleans in December, 1814, 
but were repulsed by the Americans under general Jackson, with the 
loss of about 3,000 men, killed, wounded, and prisoners. The Ameri¬ 
can army lost only 7 men killed, and 6 wounded. 

The island of New-Orleans is formed by the river Mississippi on one 
side, and the lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas, together with an out¬ 
let of the Mississippi, called the river Iberville, on the other. It is 
about lfO miles long and from 3 to 50 broad. It produces sugar, lem¬ 
ons, oranges, and figs.—Lake Pontchartrain communicates with the 
city by the Bayou St. John, which is navigable for small vessels, which 
pass between N. Orleans, Mobile and Pensacola. Fort St. John issitu- 
ated at its entrance into the lake, 7 N. New-Orl ans. Fort St. Charles 
is situated NE. of the city. 

Q. What is the commerce of New-Orleans ? 

A. The commercial advantages of New Orleans surpass 
those of any other city in the United States. From the head 
waters of the Mississippi and Missouri, 4000 miles, this exten¬ 
sive river, with its numerous tributary streams, is designed by 
natare to convey the wealth of the vast interior to New Or- 


LOUISIANA. 


135 


leans ; but it is to be expected, that the unhealthy climate of 
New Orleans, together with the rapid current of the Missis¬ 
sippi, will turn a very considerable proportion of the wealth 
through the inland channels of commerce, by the way of the 
lakes, to New York. 

Q. How is Now Orleans connected with lake Pontchartrain ? 

A. By a canal, at the head of St. John’s creek ; the whole 
distance is about 6 miles, as the creek runs. 

Q. What is the face of the country adjoining the river Mississippi 
on both sides, from N. Orleans to fts mouth ? 

* A. As far up as Fort St. Philip, about 35 miles, the country, 
is mostly marsh prairie ; but the country above is secured by 
levees, nearly 100 miles in extent, and in general is highly 
cultivated. * 

Q. What are the soil and productions of this state east of the Mis¬ 
sissippi ? 

A. North of the river Iberville and lake Pontchartrain, the 
soil is remarkably fertile. The southern parts oi this tract 
are level, and produce sugar cane, cotton, rice, indigo, &c. 
The northern parts are undulating ; but the whole tract is 
considered as the garden of Louisiana. Some planters em¬ 
ploy more than 300 slaves, and cultivate from 400 to 1000 
acres ; 2 or 300 of which are cotton. 

Q. What commercial town is situated upon this traet? 

A. Madisonville, upon the northern side of lake Pontchar¬ 
train ; it is better situated for the coasting and the Florida 
trade than New Orleans, because it can be approached in 14 
days less time, by a sea vessel, and the same can return two 
days sooner. Congress have established a navy yard at this 
place ; and the neighbouring country abounds with pine, and 
other timber, peculiarly favourable to the station. 

Q. What is the face of the country in that section of this state that 
lies west of the Mississippi ? 

A. The river Sabine is generally laid down as the bounda¬ 
ry ; but the Rio Grande del Norte is the most natural, and by 
many, considered as the true boundary of the United States. 
In either case, this section of the stale opens to view one of 
the most inviting scenes that is to be found. No part of the 
United States is more completely watered by majestic rivers, 
streams and lakes, than this ; and no part exhibits a riche?' 
soil, a finer climate, or more interesting scenery. This coun¬ 
try is yet a wilderness-, with only a few scattered settlements. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers in this section of the state ? 

A. Red river, Washita, Sabine, &c. with their numerous 
tributary streams* 




UNITED STATESv 


.’3E 

Q, What arc the principal prairies ? 

A. Prairie Menou, Grand prairie, and Opelousas prairie. 
The first contains about 128,000 acres, and the last about. 
1,200,000 acres. Some of the most thriving settlements in' 
Opelousas and Attakapas, are in this prairie. The former 
contains a population of about 5,000, and the latter a popula¬ 
tion of about 10,000. Several other valuable prairies are sit¬ 
uated in this section of the state. 

Q. When were these settlements formed, and from what do they de¬ 
rive their names ? • 

A. They were formed by the French, about the year 1750, 
and the}' derive their names from two tribes of Indians, who 
0JTmerly inhabited the country. 

Q. What are the productions of these parishes ? 

A. Sugar in the southern section, and cotton throughout. 
They also raise vast numbers of horses and cattle, which run 
at large through the winters, on the prairies. They furnish 
beef, butter and cheese, in great quantises, for the New Or¬ 
leans market. Sheep flourish here ; the mutton is good, but 
the wool is coarse. 

This section of the state abounds with the greatest variety 
of useful and valuable forest trees, that is to be found on any 
portion of the globe, of the same extent. Of these forest 
trees, more than 50 different kinds may be enumerated. 

Q. What proportion of this state is prairie i 

A. About one fifth, including the marshes upon the coast. 

Q. Which are the settlements in the Northern section ? 

A. Natchitoches, Rapides, and Alexandria, upon the Red 
river, the first is 344 miles by water from N. Orleans. Cat¬ 
ahoula and Washita, upon the Washita ; Concordia upon the 
Mississippi, and Avoyelles at the mouth of Red river. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Louisiana ? 

A. About the middle of the 17th century, De la Salle tra¬ 
versed the Mississippi*river, and explored the country, and 
called it Louisiana. This name embraced the country upon 
both sides of the river, and France continued to claim it 
down to the peace of 1763, when she relinquished all her 
claims to Louisiana, on the east of the Mississippi, except New 
Orleans, to Great Britain ; and on the west to Spain. Great 

-- a - -l rr '-‘ J- " iT- 1 "" -r- ■ -■ -- “tt i aiar ur r , 

Questions. —When and by whom was Louisiana first explored, anft 
why is it so called r 

What claims did France-relinquish to Great Britain and Spain h 
1.763 > 



MISSISSIPPI. 


137 


Britain ceded her claims to the United States, by the treaty of 
Paris, 1783. 

Spain held possession of western Louisiana and N. Orleans, 
until she ceded it to France, by the treaty of Ildefonso, in 
1802. In 1803, France ceded Louisiana to the United States 
for $15,000,000. Congress divided it into two sections, 
termed Upper and Lower Louisiana, or the Territory of Mis¬ 
souri, and the Territory of Orleans. In 1812, the Territory 
of Orleans became a state, and was admitted into the Union, 
under the name of Louisiana. It wa^nvaded by British army 
in 1814. (For further narticulars,. seepage 47 of this work.) 

When and in what manner did the U. States purchase the claims of 
Spain to Louisiana ? 

When did congress divide the country ? 

When did the Territory of Orleans become a state, and by what name ? 
When did Great Britain cede her claims to the U. States ? 

MISSISSIPPI. 

Q.- What are the situation and extent of Mississippi ? 

A. Mississippi is bounded on the N.by Tennessee E. by 
Alabama ; S. by the Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana state, and 
includes ail islands within six leagues ot the shore ; and W. 
by the river Mississippi and the state of Louisiana. It is 
about 340 miles long and 150 broad ; and contains about 
47,000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 17 counties, after the manner of Vir¬ 
ginia, viz. Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Covington, Jackson, 
Franklin, Greene, Hancock, Jefferson, Lawrence. Marion, 
Monroe, Perry, Pike, Warren, Wayne and Wilkinson. Its 

population is 75,448. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. It is generally level, excepting the northern section, 
which is intersected by the Appalachian mountains. ♦ 

Q. What are the climate, soil and productions? 

A. The climate is mild and healthy. The soil is lertile, 
like Alabama. The productions are sugar, cotton, tobacco, 
indigo, Indian corn, wheat, rye, barley, oats, sweet and Irish 
potatoes ; also, apples, pears, figs, pomegranates, plums, 
grapes', oranges, &c. Cotton may be cultivated as a staple 
throughout the state ; but it is not a safe crop north of 35 
deg. : nor the sugar-cane north c-f 30 degrees. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

K The Mississippi, Yazoo, Black, Pearl, and Pascagoula. 

12* 



m UNITED STATES 

Q. What is the extent of the Mississippi ? » 

A. The Mississippi river rises in lat. 47 deg. 47 min. N . 
and Ion. 95 deg. 6 min. W. amidst lakes and swamps, dreary 
and desolate beyond description, and after a S. E. course oi 
about 600 miles, reaches the falls of St. Anthony, in lat. 44 
deg. N. where it descends perpendicularly 30 feet. From 
these falls to the junction of the Missouri, in lat. 38 deg. 27^ 
rn'frf. N. the distance is 1,030 miles, and from the junction of 
the,Missouri toils mouth, in the gulf of Mexico, is 1,395 
miles, making the whole length of the river more than 3,000 
mites. It is navigable^for boats of 40 tons to the lulls of St.- 
Anthony. Ships seldom ascend above Nacthez. 

Q. Which arc the chief towns ? 

A. Natchez is the principal commercial town : Jacksonville 
is the seat of government ; the other towns of note are Wash¬ 
ington, Monticello, Warren, Winchester, Woodville, Green¬ 
ville, Port Gibson, and Liberty ; the latter is a place of con¬ 
siderable trade. 

Natchez, city and port of entry, Adams co, Mississippi, qji E. bank 
of the Mississippi, '.¥22 above New Orleans, by the course of the river, . 
427 above the mouth of the stream. 669 below the mouth of the Ohio, 
346 below St. Louis, 1613 below Pittsburg, 150 by land NW. New 
Orleans, 90 W\ Monticello. 430 SW. by S. Nashville, W. 1,268. Lon, 
91. 25. W.—Lat. 31. 34. N. Pop. in 1310, 1,511 : in 1820, 2,184; 
slaves 856. It is much the largest town in Mississippi, and has till 
lately been the seat of government. It consists of two parts, the up¬ 
per and lower towns ; the former is situated on the margin of the riv¬ 
er ; the latter, which is the principal part, on ground elevated about 
one hundred feet above high water mark in the river. The city is 
regularly laid out n the form of a parallelogram, the streets intersect 
each other alright angles, hut the site on which it is built is very une¬ 
ven. It contains a courthouse, a'jail, a market house, a bank, on 
afcxdemy, two pointing offices, and two houses of public worship; 1 
for Roman Catholics, and 1 for Presbyterians. 

Bom?: of the houses are elegant, but t hey arc mostly of wood, and of 
only one story. To enable the inhabitants to enjoy the evening air. 
almost every house has a piazza and balcony. The gardens are orna¬ 
mented with fig- trees, plums, peaches, 1 and grape vines. If is a heal¬ 
thy trading pnvn.well situated for a commercial depot, having a fer¬ 
tile and well cultivated country in its rear, which produces great quan¬ 
tities of’cotton. 

Q,. What is the commerce of Mississippi ? 

A It is flourishing, and will doubtless become very exten¬ 
sive. Ships of any burden ascend to Natchez. 

Q, W 7 hat is the state of learning ? 

A. It is fast improving. There, is a college at Washington, 
founded in 1802, and another at Shieidsborougb, which was 
established in 1818. 

Q. What tribes of Indians reside within this State, and what L 
f heir character ? 

A Three tribes of Indians reside in the State of Missis-- 


MISSISSIPPI 


J.3$- 

[ sippi ; the Chicka9aws, Cherokees, and Choctaws. The 
Chickasaws consist of abo'ut C,000 ; 1800 of which are war¬ 
riors. They are the proprietors of several millions of acres 
* of excellent land, lying between the Tennessee and Mississip¬ 
pi rivers, besides ffiur reserved tracts, from one to four miles 
square. They have always professed the strongest friend¬ 
ship for the United States; and their fidelity has on trying 
occasions proved unquestionable Some of the Chickasaw 
1 chiefs own many negro slaves, and annually make sale of hun¬ 
dreds of horned cattle and hogs. They occupy eight town*?, 
and have attained to a considerable degree of civilization. 

“ The Cherokees are more numerous ; their population 
being estimated at 11,000; 4,000 of which are warriors. 
They possess a spacious tract, east of lands owned by the 
Chickasaws, on the south side of the Tennessee, and betwee* 
that river and Tombigbee. The Cherokees have made con¬ 
siderable progress in the knowledge of the useful arts ; par- 
, Ocularly in the manufacture of cotton and woollen cloths, 
i They possess more than 500 looms of their own workman¬ 
ship ; and more than 500 ploughs, which they employ in the 
cultivation of their lands. They own large stocks of cattle 
and horses ; also, swine, sheep, &c. ; and a plenty of poul 
try. . , 

t4 Thus supplied abundantly with the means of good living, 
these tribes are increasing in numbers. P»y the schools that 
have been established among them, their children have been 
taught to read and write ; and their progress in acquiring the 
elements of the sciences has fully equalled the whites, with 
the same means of learning. Many of the men, and all the 
women, have adopted the modes of dress worn by the whites. 
Their persons arc remaikably clean and neat, and their nu¬ 
merous streams of pure water, afford them the facilities of 
bathing, which they are in the constant habit of practising ; 
all can swim. The Cherokees all believe in one God ; they 
call him the Great Spirit, and speak of him with great rever¬ 
ence. They have no combination of terms in their language 
that is expressive of profanity towards the Great Spirit. 

“ The Choctaws are more numerous than the Cherokees : 
thev occupy the lands between the \ azoo and 1 ombigbee.. 
and the parallels of 31 deg. and 34 deg. north. The banks 
0 fthe Chickasaka, Yazoo, Pascagoula and Pearl rivers, are 
inhabited by them. They have several neat public inns, for 
the accommodation of travellers, and they very generally re 
semble the Cherokees in their improvements. In times past 
ijiey occupied 43 towns and villages, containing about 12.06$ 



HO 


UNITED STATES. 


soulf ; 4,000 of which were warriors. It is supposed at 
present, that their tribe is considerably more numerous.” 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Mississippi ? 

A. The early history of this State is so interwoven with, 
and so much resembles the history of Louisiana, as to render 
particular details unnecessary; This State formerly belonged 
to Georgia, and under that government become the theatre of 
a noted speculation. In 179o, the Legislature of Georgia 
sold a large tract of land, lying chiefly in the centre and wes¬ 
tern parts of this State. The four original companies sold 
(heir lands principally in the eastern and middle states. The 
Legislature of Georgia caused the records ofthe act of sales of 
these lands to be burnt in their presence, in the year 1796,. 
and the sales were considered as a nullity. The contracts, 
however, among the speculators, were considered as valid in 
law, which involved them in general distress and ruin. 

About the year 1820, Congress, after long and repeated so¬ 
licitations, took up the subject, and granted some relief to (he 
sufferers ; but it was too late to be of much benefit to the ori¬ 
ginal speculators. 

Questions. —What is the connection between the history of Mis¬ 
sissippi and Louisiana ? 

What noted speculations took place in this state,and when? 

When did congress grant some relief to the sufferers under the Geer 
gia speculation ? 


Western States anti ©mCtoncs. 

TENNESSEE. 

Q. What arc the situation and extent of Tennessee ? 

A. Tennessee is bounded on the N. by Kentucky and Vir¬ 
ginia ; E. by N. Carolina ; S. by Mississippi, Alabama, and 
Georgia; and W. by the Mississippi river. It is about 400 
miles long and 100 broad ; and contains 40,0G0square miles. 

Q. What are Its civil divisions and population? 

A. Tennessee is divided into 2 sections, and 48 counties ; 
viz. Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Clai¬ 
borne, Cooke, Granger, Greene, Hamilton,, Hawkins, Jeffer¬ 
son, Knox, M’Minn, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, 
Sevier, Sullivan, and Washington, in the eastern section ; 
Bedford, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Hardin, Hick- 



TENNESSEE, 


U'l 


Man’r!? n phn . es ‘ , ?, ck30n ’ Lawrence, Lincoln, Montgomery, 
SmUh%, Ts"’ Peri S> Robertso ". Rutherford, Shelby, 
am IV f r ’ S , um ' ler ’ w «rren, Wayne, White, Williamson 

n wu° n ’ ‘ le western section. Population 422,813. 

Q. What is the climato ? 

A. It is mild and salubrious ; cattle lun at large through 
the winter. ° 

Q. W hat is the face of the country ? 

A. The eastern part is mountainous ; but the westerrt 
part is more level. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains t 

Cumberland and Clinch mountains, branches oi 
the Allegany range. The first divides the state into two sec¬ 
tions. 


Q* What are the soil anti productions f 

A. I he soil upon the rivers is fertile, and generally goofl 
throughout the state, except upon the mountain ridges. * The 
productions are cotton, tobacco and hemp, principally; all 
the various kinds of grain common to the western states flour¬ 
ish ; and grazing is an important branch of husbandry. 

Q. What are the minerals ? 


A. Gold, silver, lead, iron, coal, alum, copperas, ocre, nitre 
and sulphur. 

Q. What is the situation of their salines ? 

A. These are numerous, and sufficient to supply the state, 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Mississippi, and Tennessee, with its tributary 
streams, the Cumberland, Forked Deer, &c. (see the map.) 

Q. W T hich are the chief towns ? 

A. Knoxville, is the capital of East, and Nashville, the 
capital of Y\ est Tennessee ; but Murfreesborough is the seat 
of government ; the other towns of note, are Clarksville,, 
Greenville, Jonesborough, &:c. 

Nashyili.e, post town, and cap. Davidson co. Tenn., on S. side of 
the Cumberland ; 32 NW. Murfreesborough, 110 N. Huntsville, 190 
\Y. Knoxville, 250 SW. Lexington, 430 NE. by N. Natchez, W. 727. 
•Top. 3 or 4000. Lon. 87. 8. W.—Lat. 35. 45. N. It is pleasantly sit¬ 
uated, regularly laid out, and contains a court house, a jail, a market 
Jiouse, 2 banks, a young ladies’ academy, a public library of 1,200 vol¬ 
umes, a cotton and woollen manufactory, a rope walk, 2 distilleries,, 
and 3 houses of public worship ; 1 for Presbyterians, 1 for Methodists, 
and 1 for Baptists. It is a thriving and wealthy town, the largest ii; 
the state, and is situated in a fertile and populous country, and has k 
flourishing trade. Two newspapers are published here. There is a, 
steam-boat navigation from Nashville to New Orleans. The Cuiru- 
berland is navigable to this place for vessels of thirty or forty tons, 
nine months in the year, and at certain times for ships of four hundred 
f §n$. The distance to Nashville from New Orleans, by land, through 




142 


UNITED STATES. 


Natchez, is 586 miles. A road is opening through Madisonville, di s- 
tance480 miles.—Cumberland college was incorporated herein 181o. 
and a building about 90 feet long, and 3 stories high, was erected ; but j 
t he college has not gono into operation, and a grammar school is kep 
in the building. 

Knoxville, post town, and cap. Knox co. Tenn., on the Holston, 4 
miles below the mouth of French Broad river, and 22 above the junc¬ 
tion of the Holston with Tennessee river; 134 WSW. Abingdon, 
190 E. Nashville, 190 S. Lexington, 455 WSW. Richmond, W. 
538. Lon. ;>3. 44. W. - Lat. 35. 45. N. Pop. in 1818, about 1,400 , 
It is pleasantly situated, regularly laid out, and contains a courthouse, 
a jail, a state bank, an academy, barracks sufficient to accommodate 
700 men, 2 printing offices, from each of which is issued a weekly 
newspaper, and 3 houses of public worship ; 1 for Presbyterians, 1 
for Baptists, and 1 for Methodists. It is the largest town in East len- 
nessee, and was formerly the seat of the state government. Hampden 
Sidney Academy in this town, is a respectable seminary. A college, 
styled Blount, oi East Tennessee college, was established in this town 
several years since, and a president first elected in 1821. 

Q. What are the manufactures and commerce of Tennessee ? 

A. Colton hemp, flax, and iron, are among her manufac- j 
lures, and her trade with New Orleans and the neighbouring 
states, is very considerable. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. It is improving. They have four colleges, viz. one at 
Nashville, one at Knoxville, one at Greenville, and one in 
Washington county. 

Q. What are the curiosities ? 

A. Several remains of ancient fortifications. Several 
streams of water, . which are lost in subterraneous currents. 
Mso, the enchanted mountain, so called ; here are imprint¬ 
ed the footsteps of tnen, horses, bears, turkeys, &c. upon the 
solid surfaces of smooth, flat rocks, as distinctly marked as 
upon snow : some of these impressions are unusually large. 

Q. What are their peculiar dimensions and characteristics ? 

A. The foot of a man measures 16 inches in length and 13 
in breadth, across the toes. One track of a horse measures 
10 by 8 inches ; and they all have the same direction. 

Q. What is the texture of these rocks ? 

A. Soft, and much like the soap-stone. 

Q,. What nations of Indians dwell in this state ? 

A. The Cherokees which extern; into the state of Missis¬ 
sippi, where they have been described. The Chickasaws 
possess the western border, upon the Mississippi river. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Tennessee ? 

A. It was formerly visited by that people who constructed 
ihe ancient fortifications of this state, as well as those men- 




KENTUCKY. 


143 

U°ne<l in the several other states, and who also left a monu¬ 
mental record of those engravings upon the rocks of the en¬ 
chanted mountains, and numerous others which are found in 
other states. It is most probable that this people were a part 
o! the Mexican colony, who attempted to settle the western 
country, but were overpowered by the natives and lost. 

1 eha • ->ee was claimed by North Carolina, and by her ce- 
^jd^d to the United States, in 1789. It was erected by con 
agress into a Territorial government, in 1790 ; and admitted 
into the Union in 1796. The rise and progress of Tennes¬ 
see have been remarkably prosperous ; almost without a par¬ 
allel. She furnished a full share of those heroes that fought 
under general Jackson, and with their rifles repelled the at¬ 
tack of the British upon New Orleans, Dec. 1814. The 
Tennesseeans are a brave, hardy, and industrious people- 
Although the first settlers were mostly Scots. Irish, andGer- 
imans, from Virginia and Pennsylvania, with a few English, 

J their national character is fast assimilating and blending. 

Questions. —What people are supposed formerly to havepossessd this 
state, and why ? 

What state formerly claimed Tennessee, and when was it admitted 
into the Union ? 

What is the general character of Tennessee ? 


KENTUCKY. 

Q. What are the situation and extent ofKcntucky ? 

A. Kentucky is bounded on the N. by Ohio river : E. by 
Virginia ; S. by Tennessee ; and W. by Mississippi river. 
It is about 400 miles long, and 200 wide in the broadest part : 
and contains about 60,000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. Kentucky is divided into 67 counties, after the manner 
of Virginia, viz. Adair, Allen, Barren, Bath, Boone, Bracken, 
Brackenridge, Bourbon, Butler, Bullet, Clarke, Casey, 
Campbell, Christian, Cumberland, Clay, Caldwell, Davies, 
Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Fleming, Floyd, Gallatin, Grant, 
Greenup, Greene, Grayson, Garrard, Hart, Harlan, Henry, 
Harrison, Henderson, Harden, Hopkins, Jessamine, Jeffer¬ 
son, Knox, Livingston, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mer¬ 
cer, Madison, Monroe, Muhlenburgh, Montgomery, Nicholas, 
Nelson, Ohio, Owen. Pulaski, Pendleton, Rockcastle, Scott, 
Shelby, Simpson, Trigg, Todd, Union, Wayne, Washington, 
Warren, Whitley, and Woodford. Population 564,317. 



UNITED STATES. 



What is the climate ? 

A. It is generally mild and salubrious throughout the state* 
Cattle can usually subsist without fodder through the winter 

Q. What is the face of the cauntry ? 

A. It is undulating, but not mountainous. Caves and cav¬ 
erns are numerous. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? * 

A. The Cumberland branch, which divides Kentucky from 
Virginia. ' j 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil is remarkably fertile, and the productions such' 
as are common to the middle states. Hemp and tobacco are 1 
the staples. On the grazing farms large droves of cattle and 
swine are raised for market. The grape is indigenous, and j 
is very considerably cultivated. The forests abound with all 
the rich variety of forest timber found in the United States, 
Among these, are the coffee tree, sugar maple, papaw, cu¬ 
cumber and magnolia. The flowering trees and shrubs are j 
so numerous as to cause the forests literally to blossom as the ' 


rose. 


Q. What arc the minerals ? 


A. Iron is the principal ; marble in all its variety is abund¬ 
ant ; also, a crystal, that is semi-transparent, of a rhomboi- 
dal form, and possesses a peculiar refracting power. 

Q. What are the salines i . 

A. These are called Licks ; the principal of which are on 
Licking river, at Big Bone Lick, or at S dtsburg. 

Q. What quantity of salt is annually produced at the Licks ? 

A. In 1816, it amounted to 500,000* bushels. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, Greene, 
Elkhorn, Licking, &c. 

Q. Which are the chief to wns ? 

A. Lexington is the capital of Kentucky ; Frankfort is the 
seat of government; Louisville is"a place of very considera¬ 
ble trade and manufactures. Newport is a flourishing town, 
as well as many others in the state, too numerous to mention. 

Lexington, post-town, and cap. Fayette co. Kentucky ; 22 E. S. E, 
Frankfort, 74 E. Louisville, 85 S. Cincinnati, W. 552. Lon. 85. $ 
W. ; Lat. 38. 16. N. Pop. in 1810, 4,226 ; in 1820, 5,267. It is situ¬ 
ated on Town Fork, a small stream which falls into Hie south branch 
•f the Elkhorn. It is regularly laid out, and contains a court house, 
a jail, a hospital, two market houses, a theatre, a masonic hall, a mu¬ 
seum, a public library of 6,000 volumes, a female academy, having in 
1822, five teachers and 160 pupils, a university, three banks, one of 
which is a branch of the United States bank, 6 printing offices, from 
four of which is issued a newspaper, and nine houses of public wor¬ 
ship; three for Presbyterians, one for Episcopalians, one for Baptists, 





KENTUCKY. 


14 c 

■ gree i«i M«tkouihts, and one for Roman Catholics. Lexington has 
tad a very rapid growth. In 1707, it contained only about 50 houses, 
ft is the largest totvn m Kentucky, and one of the most wealthy and 
best towns in the western states. The houses are mostly of brick, and 
the streets are paved and have side walks ; the principal one is about 
30 foet wide. Near the centre of the town is a public square, sur- 
lounded with brick buildings. 

This town contains various and extensive manufacturing establish¬ 
ments, among which are four nail manufactories, two copper and tin 
manufactories, two steam paper mills, a number of large rope-walks, 
cotton and woollen manufactories, dislilleiies, a brewery, &c. The 
I site on which the town is built is a gentle descending valley, which is 
sne of the most fertile tracts in the United States. The climate L 
healthy and delightful, and in the,vicinity there is a number of hand¬ 
some country seats. The surrounding country is greatly admired fo: 

■ ts rich and beautiful scenery. 

1'ransylrania university was incorpoiated with the rank of a uni¬ 
versity in this town, in 1793, and was newly organized in 1818, since 
yhieh it has been very flourishing. There are two college edifices of 
brick, one of which is calculated to accommodate 100 students. The 
; i library contains 6,000 volumes. The legislative government is entrus • 

/ ted to a board of seventeen trustees. The university comprises three 
,! departments, first of law, with one professor; second of medicine, with 
« jive professors ; third of literature and general science, with four pro 
I lessors, besides the president : one of natural philosophy, geography, 

! chronology and history, one of ancient languages, one of mathemat¬ 
ics, and ©ne of natural history and botany ; and two tutors. Law stu¬ 
dents in 1322,46 ; medical students 138 ; undergraduates 138; mem¬ 
bers of the preparatory school 62 ; total 332. Of the undergraduates 
54 were irregular members, who recited with the classes, but were n©:. 
candidates for degrees. Commencement is held on the 2d Wedncs* 
day in July, after which there is a vacation till the 1st of October. 

Q. What are the Commerce and manufactures of this state ? 

A. The commerce of the state is very considerable, and 
principally through New Orleans ; hemp, cotton, duck, cor* 
dage, salt, salt-petre, leather, &c. are among their manufac 
lures and exports. The amount of manufactures in 1810, ex¬ 
ceeded $5,000,000. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. Kentucky has one college at Danville, and another al 
Lexington, styled Transylvania University, compr'isinga med¬ 
ical institution anti a law school, and is the most flourishing 
literary establishment in the western states. The library 
contains more than 6,000 volumes, and the philosophical ap¬ 
paratus is complete. Primary schools are very general in 
all the towns in this state, and the mass of the people have the 
means of instruction. 

Q. What are the natural curiosities ? 

A. The caves and caverns are worthy of notice, particu¬ 
larly those in which great quantities of salt-petre are ftnmi, 

13 



UNITED STATES. 


One care or cavera is found in Rockcastle county, so large 
that a yoke of oxen with a cart can be driven through the 
base of a hill, half a mile in extent. In the county of W arre'u 
is another that has been explored seven miles, without lindinj; 
the extremity. A substitute for lamp oil has been found it 
their bituminous fountains. Mammoth cave, so called 
has been explored 10 miles, and comprises in one apartmen 
an area of 8 acres, with an arch 100 feet in height ; this cave 
abounds with nitre, and the air is remarkably salubrious. 
The banks of Kentucky river present to the view of the trah 
veller, in many places, solid walls of limestone, more than 306 
feet perpendicular, with lofty elevations rising above, to the 
height of more than 1200 feet more. 

Q. What other curiosities have been found ? 

A. A mummy has been found in a cave, aad carefully pre¬ 
served. Engravings have been found upon large flat rocks, 
that resemble the Hebrew character, and are supposed to be 
Phoenician ; but this cannot be ascertained, because that lan¬ 
guage is lost. 



HISTORY. 


Q. What is the history of Kentncky ? 

A. The six nations from the north claimed the district 
country, now known by the name of Kentucky, as a part of 
their hunting grounds, and oft :n extended their excursions 
• ver this range. The Cherokees from the south had the same 
claims, and ranged over this region in their hunting excur*- 
sions. Collisions often took place between the parties, anti 
bloody wars ensued, which gave to the country an Indian 
name, signifying the bloody grounds. 

Virginia purchased the claims of the six nations, at the treu-/ 
ly of Lancaster and Stanwix, in 1768 Colonel R. Hender¬ 
son purchased the claims of the Cherokees, in 1776 ; but- 
these treaties and purchases did not secure the first settle^ 
against the harassing excursions of the Indians. 

In 1773, Colonel Daniel Boon explored this country, an# 
ommenced a settlement. In 1775, he moved with his fam¬ 
ily, and several others, into Kentucky. In 1777, Virginia 
erected it into a county. In 1778, the settlers joined Colonel 

Questions. —What nations of Indians formerly claimed Kef^cky 
and what were the consequences? 

When and by whom were the lands first purchased? 

When and by whom &ere the fast geUteffie&t£fmade > 




OHIO. 


n 7 

Cfcii'k, who was sent out from Virginia against the French 
and Indian settlements of Upper Mississippi, and overrun and 
took the whole, from the Ohio to the Illinois. On his re 
turn he dispossessed the French of their fort and settlement 
at Vincennes, and brought into submission the adjacent tribes. 
Colonel Clark returned to Kentucky, and rallied the settlers 
against the Shawnee, Delaware, and Mingo tribes, upon the 
Miami and Scioto rivers, laid waste their settlements, and dis¬ 
persed the Indians ; all of which kindled a savage war, 
that cbntinued to rage, with very little intermission, down to 
the peace of Greenville, in 1795, about 17 years. During 
j this period, the settlements of Kentucky, and upon the Ohio 

( generally, were often very much distressed. In 1782, Vir¬ 
ginia erected this county into a district, with a regular judicia- 
' ry. op«n to appeals to the superior courts in Virginia. Ip 
1785, Kentucky became an independent state, and in Febru¬ 
ary, 1791, was admitted into the Union. 

Kentucky entered with spirit into the late war with Eng¬ 
land. and although her territory was not invaded, yet she suf¬ 
fered severely by the loss of many of her brave sons in the 
Indian war. 

When and how did the first Indian war commence . 

When was Kentucky first erected into a state, and admitted into the 
Union ? 

What were the effecls ef the late war upon Kentucky ? 

OHIO. 

Q. What arc the situation and extent of Ohio ? 

A. It is bounded on the N. by Michigan and Canada line, 
through the centre of lake Erie ; E. by Pennsylvania and the 
Ohio river; S. by Ohio river; and VV. by Indiana. It is 
about 216 miles square ; and contains about 48,000 square 
j miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions ? 

A. It is divided into 59 counties, viz. Adams, Ashtabula, 
Athens, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Cler¬ 
mont, Clinton, Columbiana, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Darke, 
Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Geauga, 
Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Hocking. 
Huron, Ji.ckson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, 
Madison, Medina, Meigs, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Mor¬ 
gan, Muskingum, Perrv. Pickaway, Pike, Portage, Preble. 
Richland, [loss, Sandusky, Scioto, Shelby, Stark, Trnmbnlk 




148 


UNITED STATES 


Tuscarawas, Union, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wood j 
and these contain 742 towns. 

Q. What is the population of this state ? 

A. By the census of 1820, it amounted to 581,434, about 
double the population of the State of Connecticut at that time, j 
and exceeding that of Massachusetts. Such a rapid settle- i 
mentis without a parallel. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. It is mild and salubrious ; but the winters are more s& 
vere than in Kentucky, especially in the northern section. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil, and productions ? 

A. The northern parts, near the lake, are marshy in some j 
places, and the interior is generally level ; hut the southern i 
section, bordering upon the river Ohio, is hilly and broken. ! 
The bottom lands upon the principal rivers are very fertile, 
especially near the Miami and Scioto. There are many rich 
prairies,in this state. The various kinds of grain peculiar to 
the northern and middle states; flourish in Ohio ; and 100 
bushels of corn per acre are often raised. 

Q. Which are the minerais ? 

A. Iron, coal, white and blue clay, suitable for manufact¬ 
ures ; free stone, &c. 

Q. Which are the salines ? 

A. These are as numerous as in Kentucky, and sufficient I 
for the consumption of the state, under any degree of pOpula- J 
tion. 

Q. Which arc the principal rivers ? 

A ; Ohio, Muskingum, Hockhocking^ Scioto, Great and Lit¬ 
tle Miami, on the south ; Maumee, Sandusky, Cuyahoga and 
Grand rivers, on the north. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Columbus, the capital, and near the centre of the state ; , 

Cincinnati, the largest city, except New-Orleans, in the vyes- I 
tern country. The other rich and flourishing towns are too i 
numerous to be detailed. 

Cincinnati^ city, and cap. Hamilton co Ohio, on N. bank of the 
Ohio, 20 miles above the mouth of the Great Miami, 122 above Louis- ] 
ville, 4G> below Pittsburg by water, and 300 by land ; 85 N. Lexing¬ 
ton, 98 W. by S Chilicothe, 109 S. W. Columbus W. 504.—Lon. 84. 

27 W.—Lat. 39.6. N.—Pop. in 1805, 500; in 1810, 2,540; in 131.2, 
6,500; in 1820,9,642. Buildings in 1819, 1,890 ; 432 of brick, 1,453 
of Wood ; dwelling houses 1,303. 

The city is divided into four wards, regularly laid out, and well 
built, and its situation is pleasant, healthy, and considerably elevated. 

It contains a court house, 3 brick market houses, 4 banks, a lancaste- 
rian school, a public library of 1,400 volumes, a medical college, in¬ 
stituted in 1820, 10 places o public worship, a hospital, a museum, 4. 
orinting offices, a steam mill, 87 feet by 62, of 9 stories, 1 woollen and 






QHIG. 


HU 

•; cotton manufactories, 2 glass houses, a*bugar r«f nerj’, 2 breweries, a. 
typo foundery, an air and brass foundery, also the building of the Cin¬ 
cinnati Manufacturing Company, which is 150 feet by 37, of 4 stories, 
besides other manufacturing establishments. The funds of the lap- 
easterian seminary hare lately been increased by a subscription ol 
>0,000 dollars, with a view of erecting it into a college. Mathematics, 
natural philosophy, chemistry, and tho learned languages are now- 
taught here. 

Cincinnati was first laid out in I7b0, and began to flourish after' 
1794, since which time its growth in population, wealth and trade, ha^ 
been exceedingly rapid, and it is now the largest town in tho western 
©untry above New-Orleans. 

Q. \Y hat are tho commerce, manufactures, ar.d aggregate wealth 
•of this state ? 

A. They surpass those of any other state west of the moun* 
tains. Cotton yarn, cotton and woollen cloths, are among 
their large manufacturing productions ; but horses, cattle, 
swine, whiskey and flour, are the principal articles of expor¬ 
tation. About 50,000 swine were driven from this state over 
the mountains, into the Atlantic states, in the year 1810. Io 
1815, the assessment of property in Ohio, as revised by the 
frincipai board of assessors, amounted to $61,347, 216. 

Q. Which are the contemplated canals? 

A. One from the head waters.of the Maumee to the Wa* 
bash ; k one from the Cuyahoga to the Muskingum, see p. 18 

Q. What is the state of literatnre ? 

A. This is flourishing. The general government hare 
grarvted three townships, six miles square, out of the public 
lands, for seminaries of learning ; and one mile square, near 
the centre of each township, for the benefit ot common or 
primary schools. The legislature have appropriated two en¬ 
tire townships to the Ohio University, and located the same at 
Athens. The nett annual revenue of this college is about 
2,300 dollars, and increasing. The Miami and Cincinnati 
Universities have been incorporated ; the former has a re¬ 
venue of 2 ; 300 dollars, and increasing ; but the latter is sup 
ported by private donations. 

Q. What military posts are in this state ? 

A. Forts Washington, Defiance, Loramies and Meigs ; the 
last is noted for sustaining n siege of the British and Indians, 
in 1813. Fort Recovery, built by General Wayne, ©n the 
ground where general St. Clair was defeated, in 1791. Fort 
< i reenville, an old fortress, rendered memorable for the trea¬ 
ty of Greenville, in 1795. 

Q. Which are the antiquities and curiosities ? 

A. .Several fortifications of the same stamp as those of New 
York, Pennsylvania, &e. Such is their antiquity, that they 

13* 






150 


UNITED STATES. 


are covered with a growth oi the heaviest timber; and then 
origin is beyond the reach ol Indian tradition. 

Q. Where are tSfey situated and what are their dimensions ? 

A. Northerly from Harden burg, one half mile from the f 
Miami, on the top of a hill, about 1 50 ieet above the base, is if I j 
fortification inclosing ten or twelve acres. The wall of earth;, | 
from four to five feet high, does not conform to any exact tig* j , 
ure ; but is regulated in its direction by the extremities of 
the level ground around the top of the hill, at the highest 1 
points of declivity, in an irregular form, so as to enclose all i 
the level ground, /fhere are two or three gate ways. On i 
the south, near where* the hill is very steep, within the fort, is 
a considerable mound ; and on the south side of the hill, about' 
one third of the distance : rom the base to the top, is a spacious 1 
highway, more than oO ieet wide, remarkably level and 
straight ; the excavation on the upper side of which, is in 
some parts twelve or fifteen feet deep. This highway ex- j 
tends in length, on the side of the hill 100 rods ; each end . I 
terminates at points where the declivity was gentle, and the. 
ascent to the fortification easy ; within which are two con-' j 
siderabie artificial cavities. The numerous human bones- 
washed bare by the rains on. the sloping places, indicate that 
the population was great. The monuments of antiquity of 
this description, found in this and the neighbouring states, and 
extending down into Mexico, are too numerous for the limits 
of this work. 

Q, What other curiosities are found in Ibis state ? 

A. A copper coin has been dug up four feet beneath the 
surface of the earth, near the Little Miami, with the stamp of 
an old Persian character ; and a'stump of a large tree with 
evident marks of an axe, at Cincinnati, 94 feet below the sur¬ 
face of the ground Also, inscriptions have been found upon 
large, flat rocks, supposed to be Phoenician, because they st 
much resemble the Hebrew and Cbaldaic. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Ohio ? 

A This section of the Union was formeily' claimed bv Vir¬ 
ginia and Connecticut, by virtue of their original patents, 
which embraced all lands west, within their parallels of lati¬ 
tude, to the Pacific ocean. In 1789. these states ceded their 
claims to Congress, reserving to Virginia her military bounty 
lands, situated between the Lottie Mt ,mi and the Scioto and 
reserving to Connecticut 3,000.000 of acres on the nertb-enM 






INDIANA. 


151 

section oi the state of Ohio. About the s:imi time, the Ohio 
company commenced the settlement ol’Marietta, under Rufus 
Putnam esq. ; and John Cleves Syms, commenced his settle¬ 
ment at the mouth of the Great Miami ; and soon after, fort 
Washington vras built upon the Scioto ; and the settlement of 
Cincinnati was begun near the mouth of Little Miami. The 
Indian wars that soon after commenced, checked the progress 
of these settlements, until the treaty of Greenville, in 1795. 
Since that time the settlements of this north-western territory 
have been prosperous without a parallel.' 

Ohio was erected into a state and admitteiLinto the Union 
1002. In 1018,-Ohio purchased of the Indians a tract of 
land, on the north-west corner of the state* amounting" to 
4,000,000 of acres ; the land is considered of a quality equal 
to any in the state, both far eilltivatipryan<by tnmercc, 

(^yESTioxs.—What sta formerly claimed Ohio? 

MJpon v^hat conditions did they relinquish their claitns ? 

I* When and by whom were the first settlements made? 

What treaty settled a permanent Indian peace ? 

When was Ohio erected into a state and admitted into the Union ? 
When and to what.amount was the last purchase of the Indians made 


INDIANA. 

Q. What are the situation ami extent of Indiana : 

A. Indiana is bounded on the N. bv Michigan lake .and Ter¬ 
ritory ; E. by Ohio , £i. by Ohio river; raid W;. bj Illinois. 
It is 2CO miles long, aad 150 broad ; and I contains 40,00© 
square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions arid population ? 

A. It is divided into 44 counties, viz. Clark, Crawford, 
D ivies, Dearborn. Decatur, Delaware, Dubois, Fayette, 
Floyd* Franklin, Gibsop, Greene, Harrison, Henry, Jackson, 
Jefferson, Jennings, Knox, Lawrence, Marion, Martin, Mon¬ 
roe, Morgan, Owen, Orange, Perry, Pike, Parke, Posey, 
Putnam, Randolph, Ripley, Scott, Spencer, Sullivan, Shelby, 
Switzerland, Vanderburg, Union, Vigo, Wabash, Warwick. 
Washington and W ryn.*. Population 147,178. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. The climate is much the same as that of Ohio. 

Q. What are the face of the country, and soil ? 

A. The country Dearth? river Ohio is hilly, and the inte¬ 
rior is undulating, i'ntersp *rs< d with rich prairies ; and on 
• he, streams the sail is productive. Small lakes are nsaier- 



152 UNITED STATES' 

ous ; 38 hikes, from 2 to 10 miles in length, have been laid 
down on maps. 

Q. What aro the productions ? 

A. The productions oT this state correspond with those or 
fJhio. Vevay was granted by congress to a company ot 
Swiss, upon an extended credit, to encourage the cultivation 
ofthe grape. The settlement commenced in 1805. Inl815 3 

about 100 hogsheads of wine were made in the village ; some 
vineyards have produced 1000 gallons. The grapes of Ma¬ 
deira and the Cape of Good Hope have flourished best. The 
wine is well flavoured, and keeps through the summer with¬ 
out distilled spirits, and improves by age. 

Q. What aro the minerals? 

A. Iron, coal,&c. ; salt-petre and Epsom salts are found in 
i cave near Big Biue river, in large quantities. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Ohio ; Wabash, with its tributary streams ; White 
ftiver, and White Water. The Illinois and Maumee rise in 
i ndir.n°. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Vincennes is the oldest and largest town ; Indianopolis 
is the seat of government ; Vevay, Harmony, Washington, 
Harrison, Corydon, Wabash, Springville, Clarksville, Green¬ 
ville, Madison, and others, are flourishing towns. 

Vincennes, post town, and cap. Knox co. Indiana, on E. bank el 
• h® Wabash, 100 miles from its junction with the Ohio, in a direct 
ine, and nearly 200 miles by the course of the river ; WO W. by N. 
Louisville, 110 E. St. Louis, 150 N. E. Kaskaskia, W. 520'. Lon. Of. 
23 W.—Lat. 40. 29. N. Pop. in It: 10, 883. It contains a court house, 
a jail, a land ®fiiee, a bank, an academy, a library of 700 volumes, «. 
Roman Catholic chapel, and two printing offices, from each of which 
is issued a weekly newspaper. The plan of the town is handsomely 
designed ; the streets are wide, and cross each other at right angles. 
Tt contained in 1810, about 150 dwelling houses, some of which are 
luilt in good style, but the most of them are small and scattering-. 
Every house is furnished with a garden. This town lias considerable 
; rude in furs and peltry. Vincennes was first settled by the French 
from Lower Canada, in 1730. Buried in the recesses of the wilder- 
xess, remote from civilized society, and having constant intercourse 
with the Indians, the inhabitants approximated in their manners and 
.appearance to their savage neighbours. They, have, however, greatly 
mproved sine® their adoption into the American family. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture and manufacture's in Indiana ? 

A. In some parts agriculture is extensively as well as suc¬ 
cessfully managed. Near the Wabash some farmers have 
raised in ope year, from I to 10,0u0 bushels of corn, and oth¬ 
er kinds of grain, potatoes, &c. in proportion. The soil is so 
rich in this, and-many other parts of this state, that craps of 



INDIANA. 153 

Indian corn have been raised in succession for 50 years, 
.without any diminution. 

Harmony is the seat of a society by that name, who emi¬ 
grated Irom Pennsylvania, and hold all tilings in common 
their agriculture and manufactures flourish remarkably well. 

Q. What are the internal improvements ? 

A. The legislature of Indiana, in 1810, incorporated a 
company, with a capital of $ 1 , 000 , 600 . with permission t© 
raise 100,000 more by lottery, for til*' purpose of extending 
a canal by the falls of the Ohio, between Jeffersonville and 
Clarksville. In 1819 they commenced their labours, and 
have most probably finished their undertaking. The ad van 
tages of this canal will be incalculable to the navigation ©fthe 
Ohio. 

Q. What i9 the state of literature ? 

A. In 1816, congress granted one thirty-sixth part of each 
township for the support of schools. One entire township, 
©r 23.000 acres, worth $10 per acre, for the support of a 
college ; which has since been located at Vincennes, and a 
large brick building is erected for the accommodation of the 
institution. 

Q. What military posts are ia this state ? 

A. Forts Wayne, Adams, Recovery, Harrison, Jefferson 
and Knox. 

Q. What arc the curiosities ? 

A. A large stream of water, called Lest river, which sinks 
into the earth and disappears. Also, several springs that is- 
i.'C.T. the rGek*, *vmcn arc never failing streams, anct on 
which mills are built. Also, a large cave in the southern 
section, that affords a great abundance of Epsom salts. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Indiana : 

A. Indiana was first explored by La Salle, a Frenchman, 
ttom Canada, in the year 1680. In the year 1735, a compa¬ 
ny of French came out from Canada, aB(l settled the town ot 
Vincennes, on the Wabash This settlement commenced, 
and continued in the heart of an Indian country, and the set 
tiers so far assimilated with the Indian manners and customs, 
as to become more than half savage until this country began 
to be settled by the English ;fu r the peace of Greenville, in 


Questions.— When and by whom was Indiana first explored 3 
When and by whom was it first settled ; 




154 


UNITED STATES. 


17 Ob. Vincennes has now become an enlightened, rich, aev 
flourishing town. 

Indiana has shared with Ohio in the distresses of Iodine 
wars ; first, from the expedition of general Manner, in 1790* 
to the treaty of Greenville, in 1795 ; neit, from the invasion 
of the Eritish, in 1813, to the close of the war in 1815. Since 
that time. Indiana has flourished, and her settlements hare ra¬ 
pidly progressed. 

In 1818, 8,500,000 acres of land were added to thin state 
h a purchase from the Indians, lying in the northern section 
of the state. This purchase affords incalculable advantages tf 
Indiana. 


Whafc were the consequences of this settlement ? 

What wars hare distressed Indiana, and what is her present sitvw. 
tion 

When and t® what amount was the last Indian purchase made ? 


ILLINOIS. 

<4,. What are the situation and extent of Illinois' 

A. Illinois bounded on the N. by the N. W. Territory , 
E. by lake Michigan an Indiana ; S. by the Ohio river ; and 
W. by the river Mississippi. It is about 347 miles long and 
200 broad ; and contains about 52,000 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 25 counties, viz. Alexander, Born!,, 
dark, Crawford, Edwards, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin. 
Green, Hamilton, Jackson, J* fferson, Johnson, Madison, 
Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Popo, Randolph, St. Clair, San* 
gamon, Union, Washington, Wayne and White. Population 
55,211 . 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. The climate is .Midland salubrious, excepting in such 
parts as are contiguous to wet prairies, and stagnant waters. 

Q. What are the face of the country and soiU 

A. The face of the country is generally level, interspersed 
with numerous prairies, & variegated by gentle swells of hill 
dale. The prairies are various ; some are low and wet, and 
form the sources of the streams ; others are more elevated, 
and exceedingly fertile. They yield wild grasses from two to 
six feet high, which rpake excellent fodder for cattle. The 
binds upon the Wabash, below tort Harrison, to its mouth, 
are enriched by the freshets of that river, tethe distance of 
*wo or three miles in width, in some places.. 




ILLINOIS. 


<li>5 

vi. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The only elevations in Ihi* stute, are the Rocky hills, 
in the north-west. 

Q. What aro the productions ? 

A. Wheat, rye, oats, corn, barley, buck-wheat, &c. flour 
ish well throughout Illinois; cotton, tobaeco and {rapes, groiy 
id the southern section. The numerous prairies enable the 
farmer to raise stock easier here than in any other state. 

Q. Which are the minerals ? 

A. Iron, copper, coal, &c. 

Q. What is tho etato of their salines ? 

A. These are numerous throughout the state, andofgrea 
Value, particularly :ho«e near Shawncetown. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers? 

A. Mississippi, Ohio, Illinois, Kaskaskia, Wabash, an$i 
jftock. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. The towns are all small. Vandalia is the seat of gov¬ 
ernment. Some of the other most considerable towns, are 
ifidwardsville, Kaskaskia, and Shawneetown. The grea 
B^ank of Illinois, with a capital of two millions of dollars, is at 
^Shawneetown. 

Vandalia, post town, and capital of Illinois, in Fayette co. on thy 
west side of the Kaskaskia, 1*0 miles above its junction with the Mis* 
eissippi, 65 NE. St. Louis, 95 NNE. Kaskaskia, 125 NV\ . Shawnee- 
jtewn, W. 608. Lai. 38. 40. N. Fop. in 1822, 600. It is handsome* 
3y situated, on giound elevated sixty feet above low W'ater mark, sm« 
*ivas laid out in September, 1819. The streets are eighty feet wide^ 
intersect each other at right angles, running north and south, eastani^ 
“west, and in the centre is a public square of eight acres. It contains w 
•state house, which is a large building of wood, a 6tate bank, a jail, d 
printing office, and about 290 buildings. It is supplied by eight large’ 
-.springs of excellent water. Here is a bridge across the Kaskaskia. 
•The river is navigable eight months in the year, for boats drawing six- 
a*et of water, from its mouth to the distance of about sixty miles above-' 
Vandalia. The edifice of a public seminary is to be soon erected at 
f? his place, which has been endowed by congross with a township •}" 
■*1 |nd,consisting «f 23,000 acres. 

Q. What are the manufactures of Illinois ? 

A. These are wholly confined to domestic employmejit. 

What are the exports ? 

A. Grain and provisions. 

What aie the internal improvements ? 

A. Congress have appropriated one hundred thousand 
•acres of land to effect a canal to unite the headwaters of the 
Illinois, with the headwaters of the Chicago, which falls i»U> 
Take Michigan, which will connect the navigation of the Mi? 
Vssippi with (hcPodson, through the 1 likes, anji fhe |teui 



UNITED STATES. 


164J 

western canal ©f New York. A company is incorporated, 
with a capital of one;hundred thousand dollars, to unite the 
Ohio with the Mississippi, by a canal at Americu, eight miles 
above its mouth. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? ’ . # 

A. It is altogether in its infancy. The state has appropria¬ 
ted certain portions of each townshipfor thesupport ofschools, 
anti has raised a fun i for a college. 

Q. What are the antiquities ? 

A. On the north-west bank of the mouth of the Wabash is 
a. remarkable cave, called the Great Gave, which is one of the 
most noted natural curiosities on the Ohio ; the entrance is 
spacious and singularly uniform. 

Ancient fortifications and mounds similar to those found • in 
Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, are also rnet with in Illinois. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Illinois ? 

A. Illinois vy.s tirst discovered by Marquette l;s early as 
1671, by the way of the lakes. It was also a part of the iate- 
rior discovered by La Salle, in 1G80. The French commen¬ 
ced the settlement of this country at Kaskaskia, Cahokia, an* 
several other villages, ,^oon after the discovery of Marquette, 
and about the time of the discovery of La Salle. When the 
revolutionary war commenced in 1775, the village o? Kaskas- 
kia contained about 700 inhabitant* ; but now there are 160 
souses. In 1778 the governor of these French settlements 
excited the Indians to commit depredations upon the settle¬ 
ments in the hack parts of Virginia, and Colonel Clark was 
sent out with a force to subdue them. He traversed the de¬ 
ceit 1200 miies, surprised these settlements, took them, ad¬ 
ministered the oath of allegiance to the inhabitants, and sent 
ftieir governor into Virginia. The Indians became quiet for- 
a time. Illinois vra* a part of the N. W. Territory, until it be¬ 
came a Territorial government in the year 1800. It became 
a state, and was admitted into the Uniou, in 1819. The same 
year in August, the Commissioners of the United States met 
ihe chiefs of the Kickapoo Indians, at Edvrardsville, and made 
a purchase by treaty, of ten millions of acres of land, lying 
between the Illinois river on the north-west, the Kaskaskia 

Qvestions.— When and by whom was Illinois first explored and 
settled ? 

When and by whom were these settlements conquered ? 

When did Illinois become state and 3 member of t he Unio 






MICHIGAN. 


on the south-east, the Kaskakee on the north-east, and the 
Mississippi on the south-west. These lands remain unsold by 
government. Illinois, with the river Mississippi on the west, 
the Ohio on the south, the Wabash and lake Michigan on the 
east, possesses commercial advantages that must ultimately 
renHpr h > r one of the most flourishing states of the west. 

1 111 1 ■ — ■-■ ■ ■■■ . ,, . . .. . 

\\nen ami to what amount was the last Indian purchase made ? 

What are the commercial advantages of Illinois ? 


MICHIGAN.* 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Michigan ? 

A. Michigan is bounded on the N. by lake Superior ; E. 
by the line of Upper Canada ; S. by Indiana and Ohio ; and 
W. by Illinois and the N. Western, or Wisconsin Territory. 
It is about 280 miles long and 174 broad ; and contains about 
35,000 square miles. 

The true boundary is as follows, viz. The southern boun¬ 
dary begins about 15 miles from the southern bend of lake 
Michigan, thence due east to the line been Indiana and Ohio ; 
thence on that line south to 41 deg. 31 min. ; thence due 
east over the Maumee to lake Erie, about sixteen miles from 
[ Sandusky bay. 

The eastern boundary from the’southern line, traverse? 
the head of lake Erie, through the middle of the rivers De¬ 
troit and St. Clair into lake Huron ; through the middle eff 
j that lake to the mouth of the strait of St. Mary into lake Su¬ 
perior, and through the middle of that lake, until it cuts -a 
line drawn perpendicular from the southern bend, of lake 
Michigan, over its middle waters across into lake Superior,: 
which perpendicular is the western line of Michigan. 

Q. What are the civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into seven counties, viz. Wayne, Macomb* 
Mackinaw, Monroe, Brown, Crawford and Oakland. Popn 
lation 8,896. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil and climate ? 

A. It is one body of table-land, free from mountains, an3 
interspersed with numerous prairies. Many of these prai¬ 
ries are of a rich soil, others are sandy and barren ; but the 

t Although Michigan is still a Territorial government, the Author 
has considered it in this place, because it will undoubtedly span bp- 
come a state, and this will be its most proper connection wjfth fhe oth* 
eTr stated. 


14 








158 


UNITED STATES. 


timber in this peninsula is remarkably good. 'I he climate t-a 
mild in summer, but cold and severe in winter, as in Upper 
Canada. It is generally considered not €0 healthy as Ohio 
and Indiana. 

Q. What islands belong to Michigan ? 

A. The island of Mackinaw, in the straits of Mackinaw, 
which is about seven miles long, and ot an eliptical form ; on 
a summit of 150 feet, and 100 yards from the shore, stands 
fort Holmes, one of the strongest stations in the western 
country. Morilou, Beaver, and Gross islands, belong to Mich¬ 
igan. 

Q. Which are the lakes and bays ? 

A. Michigan includes one tenth of lake Erie ; one third oi 
Huron ; a small part of. lake Superior and about one half of 
lake Michigan. Northwardly lrom Detroit is a cluster of 
small, but beautifullakes, that measure from 100 to 1000 
acres each ; they give rise to several small rivers, which 
flow into the great lakes. The bays are Maumee, Sagand and 
Thunder. (See the map.) 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. At the head of lake Erie is the Raisin, rendered famous 
lor the defeat of general Winchester, in January, 1813. The 
other rivers or streams of note, are the Huron, the Rouge, 
&lc. The St. Joseph rises near the tributary streams of the 
Maumee, and falls into the southern parts of lake Michigan. 
It is said a canal might unite the St. Joseph and Maumee, and 
thus connect lakes Erie and Michigan, which would greatly 
shorten the distance into the west. 

Q. Which are the principal straits ? 

A. Detroit, St. Clair, St. Mary, and Mackinaw. 

Q. What is the situation of Detroit strait ? 

A. Detroit strait connects lake St. Clair with lake Erie ; is 
28 miles long and 1100-yards wide at Detroit, and navigable 
for vessels of any burden. 

Q. What is the situation of.St. Clair strait ? 

A. It connects lake St. Clair with lake Huron ; is 50 miles 
long, and is as deep as Detroit strait, excepting a sand bar at 
its mouth, and a rapid at its head ; both of which are passa¬ 
ble with some difficulty. 

Q. What is the situation of the strait of St. Mary ? 

A. It connects lakesTluron and Superior. Attheheadof 
the strait, the falls of St. Mary obstruct the passage of vessels, 
but boats pass and repass without difficulty or danger. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Detroit, the capital, Mount Clement, Mackinaw, Mon- 
fbe> Brownstown and Frenchtown. 




MICHIGAN. 


159 

Detroit, city, port of entry, and capital Michigan Territory, in 
Wayne, co. on VV. side of the river Detroit, between lakes St.Clair 
•and Erie, 18 N. of the VV. end of the latter, and 9 S. of the former, 300 

bv E. Michilimackinac, 302 W. by S. Buffalo, W. 506. Lon. 82. 58. 

* 'Dat. 42. 24. N. Pop. in 1810, 7 70, in 1820, 1,422, exclusive of 
the garrison. It is finely situated, regularly laid out in a square, 3-4 
of a mile on each side, with spacious streets, having an elevation of 
about 40 feet above the river, of which it commands beautiful views. 
It contains a council house, a penitentiary, a market house, a bank, 
an academy, an arsenal, a government store house, a magnificent 
Catholic church of stone, a Presbyterian church, a lyceum, a bible so- 
ciety, and several other associations. The town is defended by fort 
Shelby ; and the barracks adjoining arc capable of quartering several 
regiments. In 1819, there were 142 dwelling houses, and 131 stores, 
public buildings, &c. Several of the buildings arc of brick and stone, 
but they are mostly of wood and painted, and there is a general ap¬ 
pearance of taste and neatness. It is advantageously situated, and 
has a considerable and growing commerce, and is a place of impor¬ 
tance in the fur trade. It has twelve attorneys and eight physicians. 
It was wholly destroyed by fire in 1805, but the streets have been since 
laid out regularly and wide, and the town built in an improved style. 
The shipping belonging to this port in 1818, amounted to 849 tons; 
the value of exports 69,330 dollars; imports 15,611 dollirs.—Detroit 
was settled by the French from Canada as early as 1683. In 1818— 
19, the average temperature at Detroit, was for November, 43 deg. ; 
December 25 deg.; January 30 deg.; February 33 deg. ; in Albany, 
N. Y. the same year, January 22. deg. ; February 29 deg. 

Q. What are the antiquities of Michigan ? 

A. The remains of ancient fortifications and cemetaries 
are found here, as in the olher western states.,a 

Q, What is the zoology of Michigan ? 

A. The animals and fowls of Michigan are such as are com-* 
mon to the western country.; but fheir numbers surpass those 
of any other section. Wild animals are exceedingly numer¬ 
ous in the forests ; and wild fowl abound to such a degree in 
the lakes, rivers, and bays, that their squalling, added to the 
noise of their wings, render them very accessible to the hun¬ 
ter. 

Q. What Indian tribes dwell in Michigan ? 

A. Chippeivas, Miamies, YVyandots, and Ottawas : in the 
whole about 3,000. These tribes all have villages, and till 
the ground ; but the Ottawas are the most civilized. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Michigan ? 

A. The forts and villages of Detroit and Michilimackinac,- 
were built by the French from Canada, in the early part of 
the ICth century, as military posts to protect the fur tracers. 



UNITED STATES. 


160 

who visitedthe interior country. They also formed links in 
the great chain of military posts between Quebec and New Or 
leans. It is not unusual for 7 or 800 traders to assemble at 
Mackinaw in the months of June and July, annually. France 
ceded these posts to Great Britain, in connection with Cana- 
ada, at the peace of Paris, 1763; Great Britain ceded them 
to the United States, at the treaty of Paris, 1783 ; but they 
were not delivered up until after the treaty of London, by 
Mr. Jay, in 1794, and the peace of Greenville in Indiana, in 
1795. In 1796 it was formed into a county, and called 
Wayne. 

In the year 1800, it was formed into a Territorial govern¬ 
ment, and general Hull became governor. On the 16th of 
August, 1812, Detroit was taken by the English, at the com ¬ 
mencement of the late war. On the 28th of September 181P, 
general Harrison, at the head of the North Western army, 
recovered Detroit, and it was confirmed to the United States 
by the peace of Ghent, February, 1815. 

Questions.— When and for what purpose were the military po^th 
in this Territory built ? 

What number of traders generally assemble there annually * 

When did France cede this Territory to Great Britain ? 

When did Great Britain cede it to the United States, and when were 
they putin possession ? 

When did it become a Territorial government ? 

When was Detroit taken by the English ?• 

When and by whom was it retaken, and to whom was if confirmed e l 
the peace of Ghent ? 


MISSOURI. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Missouri i 
A. Missouri is bounded on the W. and N. by the territory 
of Missouri; E. by the Mississippi, which separates it from 
Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee ; and S. by Arkansavv Ter¬ 
ritory. The boundary line beginning at the month of the 
Des Moines, proceeds up the river to the rapids, thence due 
W. till it meets the meridian that passes through the mouth of 
the Kansas, thence due S. down tl^at meridian to the paral¬ 
lel of lat. 36. 30. N. thence due E. to St. Francis river, down 
that river to the parallel of lat. 36. N., thence due E. to the 
Mississippi. Mean length from N. to S. 280 miles; mean 
breadth from E. to W. 220 ; and contains 63,000 ’square 
miles. 




Missouri.' 


161 


What are the civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 28 counties, viz. Boone, Callaway, 
Cape Girardeau, Cole, Cooper, Chariton, Franklin, Howard^ 
Gasconade, Jefferson, Liilard, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, 
Clay, Saline, Scott, St. Francisco, New Madrid, Ferry, Pike, 
Halls, Ray, St. CharleSj, St Genevieve, St. Louis, Washington 
and Wayne. Population 66,586. 

Q. hat are the face of the country and climate ? 

A., Missouri is variegated with high table-lands, mountains, 
and prairies ; but almost destitute of timber ; the climate is 
mild and serene : much the same as that ol Kentucky. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The''Ozark mountains stretch into this state. Also, a 
range of hill* between the head of the St. Francis and the 
Missouri rivers, which terminate in a bluff about twenty miles 
above the mouth of the Ohio. These are the first high-lands 
that appear on the west bank of the Mississippi, irorn its 
mouth ; a distance of 1136 miles. This range of hills divides 
Missouri into two distinct, .natural sections. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil in general, is remarkably fertile throughout 
the state. The productions are cotton, hemp, tobacco, and 
the various kinds of grain. 

Q. Which are the minerals ? 

A. Lead, coal, silver, iron, marble, slate, and plaster of 
Paris. It is believed that more extensive lead mines are situ¬ 
ated in this region than in any other part of the world. Those 
which are wrought, extend about sixty miles between the St. 
Francis and the Marameck rivers. More than 1000 tons of 
lead are produced annually from these mines, by the labour 

of about 500 men. 

Q. Which are the salines ? 

A. The salines of the Missouri state are the most extensive 
©Lany that have yet been discovered. This tract lies west of 
the lead mineral tract, and runs parallel with it. At the sa¬ 
lines on the Osage, a greater quantity of the bones of the 
Mammoth, and other animals now extinct, have been found, 
than at any other saline* in the western country. 

Q. Which are the principal livers ? 

A. The Mississippi and Missouri, with their numerous tri¬ 
butary streams. (See the Atlas.) 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. St. Louis is the capital ; Winchester, Jackson, St. Gen 
evieve, Potosi, Herculaneum, Franklin, Madisonville, anti 
tthers. are thriving towns. 

14* 


i62 


UNITED STATES. 


St. Louis, post town, St. Louis co. and the chief town o£ Missouri, 
oaW. bank of the Mississippi, IS miles by water below the junction 
of the Missouri, and 14 above that of the Merrimack, 30 below that of 
Illinois, 200 above that of the Ohio, 1,100 above New Orleans, about 
1,100 beiow the falls of St. Anthony, W. 097. Lon. 89.36. W.—Lat. 
38. 36. N. Pop. in 1810, 1,600; in 1820, 4,590 ; labourers 635 ; me- j 
rhanics 470 ; engaged in commerce 92 ; grocers and tavern keepers 
49; clerks and agents 106; lawyers 23 ; physicians 15. The situa¬ 
tion of the town is elevated, pleasant, and healthy. The ground on 
which it stands rises gradually from the first to the second bank 
Three streets run parallel with the river, and are intersected by a 
number of others at right angles. The town extends along the river 
about two miles. 

The second bank is about 40 feet higher, than the plain on which 1 
the town is chiefly built, and affords a fine view of the town and river. 1 
On this bank stood the fortifications, erected in early times for the de- j 
fence of the place. They consist of several circular towers, 20 feet in J 
diameter, and 15 in height, a small stockaded-fort, and a stone breast ! 
work. The courts are held in one of the buildings of the fort, and 
another is used for a prison. The town contains 3 houses of public 
worship, a land office, a brewery, 2 water mills, a steam mill, a muse¬ 
um, 2 banks, a theatre, and 2 printing offices, from each of which- is 
issued a weekly newspaper. The houses are mostly of wood, but ma¬ 
ny are built of stone, and arc white washed ; but few of them are 
handsome. Most of the houses are furnished with a large garden. 

St. Louis was first established in 1764. It is at present in a state 
of rapid improvement, fast increasing in population and trade. Its 
situation is advantageous and interesting, being more central with re¬ 
gard to the whole territory belonging to the United States, than any 
other considerable town; and uniting the advantages of the three 
great rivers, Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois, with their numerous 
branches, and possessing unrivalled facilities lor an extensive trade, 
it will probably become a large city, and be the centre of an extensive 
commerce. The country around and west of St; Louis, for the dis¬ 
tance of 15 miles, is an extended prairie of a very luxuriant soil. 

Q. What-are the manufactures and commerce of Missouri? 

A. Lead is the only manufacture, except domestic ; but 
their commerce with New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg anfH 
New Orleans, in lead, cattle, and peltry, is very considera¬ 
ble. The time cannot be far distant when St. Louis will be¬ 
come the great central mart between New York, Philadel- * 
pbia, Baltimore, and New Orleans, and Astoria, at the mouth 
of the Columbia river ; or, when Astoria will become the 
great central mart between India, China, and. St. Louis ; or 
between the eastern and the western world. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. It is in its infancy ; almost every thing remains to be 
done. 

Q. What are the antiquities and curiosities ? 

A. A continuation ol such as have been described in sever¬ 
al of the states, both east and west of the Alleganies partic¬ 
ularly in Ohio and Illinois. 



ARKANSAW TERRITORY. 


tm 

- Near St. Louis is a curious work, much admired, called 
the fallen garden. It suggests to the spectator the idea of a 
situation for assembling the people for public councils. M 

These numerous monuments of antiquity, which extend 
from the interior of New York, in a south-western direction., 
through the western states down into Mexico, all serve to 
shew the existence of anumerous population, who dwelt in 
these regions ; .but whose history is lost beyond the remotest 
ages of tradition. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Missouri ? 

A. The settlements of the French at St. Louis, St. Gene 
vieve, &c. commenced soon after La Salle explored the coun¬ 
try, in 1680 ; but their history forms a part of the chapter of 
all the other French settlements in this region ; they could 
not flourish until they came under the jurisdiction of the Uni 
ted States, and enjoyed the blessings of a free government, 
and a free religion ; since that time they have begun and will 
Continue to flourish. Not only Missouri, but all the region 
of Western America will flourish, and become populous, 
prosperous and happy, so tar as the blessings of a free gov 
eminent and religion shall extend, and no further. Missouri 
became astate and was admitted into the Union in 1821. 

Questions. —When, where and by 'Whom was this state explored and. 
settled ? 

What is the general history ? 


ARKANSAW TERRITORY. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Arkansaw Territory . 

A. It is bounded on the -N.'by Missouri ; E. by the river 
Mississippi ; S. by Louisiana state ; and W. by Missouii Ter¬ 
ritory. It is about 250 miles Square ; and* contains about 
60,0t)0 square miles. 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. Arkansaw Territory is divided into 7 counties, viz. 
Lawrence, Phillips, Arkansaw, Pulaski, Clark, Hempstead, 
and Miller ; these contain 30 towns. Population 14,273. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil, climate and productions? 

A. The eastern section upon the Mississippi is level, and 
in some parts marshy ; the interior is mountainous, and the 
western parts are elevated. Many of the prairies, and in 
teryales near the rivers, are covered with a deep, rich soil. 



UNITED STATES.' . 


i£>4 

except in the western parts, which are dry and sterile. The'" 
climate is various, but generally mild and salubrious. A re¬ 
gion upon the White river, of about 150 miles square, is re¬ 
markably fertile : it produces cotton, tobacco, and all the va¬ 
rious kinds of grain ; limestone and marble abound. It is re¬ 
markable healthy. 

Q. Which are its principal rivers? 

A. The Mississippi, Arkans nv, St; Francis, Washita, Red, 
and Black, with their numerous tributary streams: (See the 
atlas.) Several of these rivers are navigable for boats 4 or 
50Cf miles in a direct course, or 10 or 1200 by the course of 
tbe rivers. 

Q. What are the mineral springs : 

A. The hot springs near the Washita, are so celebrated 
that in 1812, more than 300 invalids visited them. These 
springs issue from, the south side of a high bluff, are thirty in 
number, and the largest does not exceed six inches in diame¬ 
ter ; they will boil an egg hard in fifteen minutes. Near these 
springs has been found a quarry of oilstone, resembling the 
Turkey stone. 

Q,. Which arc their.salines ? 

A.. About 10Q miles beloyv the forks of White river, salt 
works are established upon a saline, that is very copious ; 
and there are numerous others in the territory. 

Q. Which are the principal settlements ? 

A. Arkansaw, opon the river of the same name, is one of 
the oldest settlements in the territory, and now begins to as¬ 
sume a flourishing aspect; and has hitherto been the seat of 
government, but Little Rock has been fixed upon to succeed 
it Among the other small towns are Davidsonville, and 
Gad r on. 

Little Rock, post town, and sect of government of Arkansaw Ter¬ 
ritory, m Pulaski eo., on the south hank of the Arkansaw ; about ISO 
miles from its mouth by land, and 300 by water, W. 1,237' Lat 34 
34. IN. It is situated on a bluff, on which is a rock, the first that i« 
seen in ascending the’ river, and from this rock it takes its name It 
was commenced in 1320, and though the population is yet small ’it is 
the most important town in the territory, and contains the offices of 
government, a land office, a printing office, and several trading 
houses. « 

Q. What are the curiosities ? 

A. The high prairies in’the south-west section are very 
generally covered with oyster and other sea shells, some of 
which extend two or three feet below the surface. 



MISSOURI TERRITORY. * 


1C$ 

HISTORY 

Q. What is tlie history of Arkansaw? 

A. This country was explored by the French, and they er¬ 
ected the trading post of Arkansaw, about forty miles up that 
river, early in the 18th century ; but this settlement, like all 
the other French settlements, progressed very slowly. Since 
the country has fallen under the jurisdiction of the United 
States, the settlements progress rapidly. 

Questions. —When and by vrhorn was Arkansas explored and Set¬ 
tled ? 

What is its general history 


MISSOURI TERRITORY. 

Q. What are situation and extent of this Territory 5 

A. Missouri Territory lies west and north of Arkansaw an4. 
'Missouri, and extends west to the Rocky mountains, and north 
to the British line, or the 49th degree of north latitude. 

Q. What are the face of the country, climate, &o. ? 

A. The face of the country is very various, abounding with 
extensive plains, prairies, and mountain ranges ; and inter 
sected by large and numerous streams apd rivers. The cli¬ 
mate is mild in the south and cold in the north. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. Th^ Rocky mountains form the western boundary. A 
few degrees east of these, lines the Chippewan range, or Black 
mountains, like the Blue ridge of the Allegany. The Mas- 
seme, or Ozark range, is a branch ot the Chippewan range, 
that runs between the Arkansaw and Red rivers, in a parallel 
direction, from 39 to 34 degrees ot north latitude ; then 
windings NE. course, it divides, and the northern branch ex¬ 
tends to the head waters of the Osage, and the southern, 
branch nearly follows the course of the Arkansaw river to it’s 
mouth. The hot springs upon the Washita, rise from a spur 
of this range. A range of hills from the northern branch oi 
the Masserne range, extends in a north-easterly direction to 
the banks of the Mississippi, about 20 miles above the mouth 
of the Ohio, and divides the waters of the Missouri, from the 
waters of the Mississippi, and forms the great mineral trad 
that extends between those rivers. (See the atlas.) 

The Chippewan range, in its northern course, sends off nu¬ 
merous other spurs, that give rise to the numerous streams 
that flow from the south-west jnto the Missouri. (See tlje 
atlas.) 




UNITED STATES. 


166 

Q. Which are the principal rivers that water this region i 

A. The Missouri, with its numerous tributary streams , a 
particular description of which may. not be uninteresting. 

This river rises in the Rocky mountains, in latitude 43 
deg. 31 min. : and west longitude 34 deg. 45 min. ; it has 
three principal head branches, navigable for some distance, 
called* Jeffers on, Madison, and Gallatin. From its junction 
with the Mississippi to the great falls, is 2,675 miles, and is 
navigable without interruption ; from thence to the Jefferson, 
ihe largest branch, is navigable 521 miles, which is distant 
from its confluence with the Mississippi 3095 miles, and from 
thence.to the gulf ofMexi-o 1345 .miles: total 4 491 miles ; 
a greater extent of navigable waters than is to be found on any 
other stream upon the globe. The cataracts of the Missou¬ 
ri are second only to those of Niagara, the most stupendous in 
the world ; the descent of tiie former being 352 f et in 18 
miles; the first great pitch is 98 feet, the second 19, the 
third 45, and the fourth 26. The width Of the river is about 
360 yarris. 

Q. Which are the. tributary streams' ofMlie Missouri, and what is 
the general character of the country ? 

A. (See the tributary streams upon the map of the United 
States.) “ From the mouth of the Missouri to the La Platte, 
lat. 41 deg. a distance 6f more than 600 miles, the land is gen¬ 
erally of good quality, ami timber is tolerable plenty ; in ma¬ 
ny places the soil is rich and the country pleasant. From 
the mouth of the Missouri to the mouth of the Kansas, the riv¬ 
er does not vary more than the half of a degree from due east : 
a distance of 340 miles’as the river runs. From the Kansas to 
the great northern bend at Shannon’s creek, lat. 43 deg. the 
course of the river is about southeast, and the distance by wa¬ 
ter 720 miles. From thence to the Mandan villages, lat. 47 
deg. 23 min. it makes nearly a right angle, and flows south 
through 4 1-2 degrees of north latitude, by water 455 miles. 
From the confluence of the river La Platte, for 1500 miles up 
the Missouri, the soil becomes less productive ; and except on 
the bottoms, the land of an ordinary second rate quality ; the 
surface generally void of timber ; rather hilly^but not moun¬ 
tainous, and with few rocks or stones. A surface ami soil of 
this description is said to extend to a great distance from the 
river, on each side ; the country exhibiting the appearance of 
a grand prairie, or rather barren, overspread with a short, 
thick grass, interspersed with innumerable flowers, that blos¬ 
som and decay in succession through the season, from spring 
to autumn. The whole exhibiting a most fanciful and de° 


MISSOURI TERRITORY. 


m 

iightfiil view from, the hills. The great parent of rivers 
Missouri) winding his course in his majestic march, and 
pouring his waters from numerous tributary streams, that 
bend their circuitous courses among the hills ; while thou¬ 
sands of elk, deer and buffalo, are seen grazing, unconscious of 
dijpger, in those unfrequented walks of civilized man. This 
region, though not generally eligible for the purposes of agri 
culture, is unquestionably well fitted forthe renting of numer¬ 
ous droves of horses,‘cattle and sheep.” 

Q. What are the curiosities of this region ? 

A. Upon the Yungar river is a perpendicular fall of 90 feet. 
Between the forks of the head waters of the Kansas, lies the 
Grand saline, so called. “ It is a hard levql plain, of a red¬ 
dish coloured sand, of. an irregular figure, being in circumfer¬ 
ence full thirty miles. From the appearance of drift wood 
scattered over this plain, it would appear that the whole was 
occasionally overflowed by the surrounding streams. This 
plain is entirely covered in dry hot weather, with a crust of 
beautiful clean, white salt, of a quality rather superior to the 
imported blown salt ; which forms a striking resemblance to 
a field of new fallen snow, succeeded by rain, with a light 
crust upon the top. Nothing can he more picturesque oh a 
bright sunny morning th;m this natural curiosity.” 

The gates of the Rocky •mountains ; hereYhe river is com¬ 
pressed to the width of lj50 yards' by perpendicular rocks that 
rise to the height of 1200 feet, fqr the distance of five miles ; 
and for more than three miles, a man cannot stand between the 
water and the rocks. 

About 200 rr.iles below the falls of Missouri are natural 
stone walls, that rise perpendicularly, in some parts, nearly 
300 feet, and have the regular appearance of art in many pla¬ 
ces. 

Castle Rock, at the foot of the Rocky mountains, ri.^es to a 
great height, with a level summit. It exhibits to the view, at 
a distance, lofty columns, porticoes, and arches, with all the 
regular appearance of an artificial structure, and often aston¬ 
ishes the traveller. 

Q. What animals are peculiar to this region ? . • 

A. “ The Grizzly bear. He is strong as the lion and ter¬ 
rible as the tiger of Bengal. He does not, like other animals, 
flee from the approach of man, hut pursues him ; and so 
dreadful is his approach, that his destruction by an Indian war¬ 
rior is more honorable than the scalp of an enemy. He is 
; nearly four times the size of a common bear. The dimen- 




UNITED STATES. 


LyS 

s'ions of one killed by Lewis and Clark,-2000 miles up tb-e 
Missouri, are as follows, viz. round the head, -3 feet 5 inches ; 
round the neck, 3 feet 11 inches ; length of talons, 4 1-2 
inches. The weight of the largest has been known to exceed- 
1200 pounds. He is the king of the forest. He is rarely 
seen in a lower latitude thun 46 degrees. 

“ The Antelope, a species of deer, is a beautilul animal. 
He is small and goes in flocks of several hundreds, on the 
Missouri, above La Platte. The Indians take them by driv¬ 
ing the flocks into the water, and then failing upon them with 
clubs. 

“ The mountain sheep, so called : to which animal they 
have but little resemblance, except in their feet and horns 
the latter of which are enormously large, being two feet in 
length, and 4 or 5 inches in diameter. They are larger than 
the deer, have a line, soft hair ; are coloured white on the 
rump ; but elsewhere are of a dun hue. They are shy, and 
clamber and graze upon the most perilous precipices of the 
mountains. 

“ Hares, grey in summer and white in winter, are often- 
seen in this region. 

“ The Prairie Dog, a curious.animal, is found in this region. 
It is about one third larger than the'fox squirrel, has a thick, 
clumsy head, large jaws, full large eyes, small ears, a long 
body, short legs, and a delicate small tail. The hair is short 
and sleek, of a light grey, except on the belly, which is 
white. The towns (for so they are called) inhabited by this 
animal, are frequently more than a mile in length, on the 
large prairie 300 miles west of the Mississippi, on the slope of 
hills, and distant from water courses. They burrow in the 
earth, and secure themselves from their* enemies by barking 
an alarm, and fleeing to their burrows. The wolves have de¬ 
clared *war against these republics, and often make great hav¬ 
oc among the feeble, inoffensive citizens.” 

Q. What is the number of Indian tribes that dwell in this region/ 
their population, &c. ? 

A. They are generally estimated at about 70 tribes. Their 
population is about 102,000, and their number of warriors 
about 28,000. They have suffered very severely within a 
few years by the ravages of the small-pox ; and their numbers 
have been greatly diminished. They were formerly much 
more numerous. 

Q. What military posts are in this territory ? 

A. Fort Calhoun, at the Council Bluffs, and fort Mandah/ 
ut the Upper Mandan village. 


NORTH-WEST TERRITORY, 


16 i> 


HISTORY. 

What is the history of Missouri Territory ? ‘ 

A. This vast region was explored fo the head waters of the 
Missouri, by Clark and Lewis, under tlie patronage of presi 
dent Jefferson, during his administration, and it has since been 
explored by others ; but such is the dreary, and uninviting 
aspect of the country, that no settlements have been made, 
| except a few military establishments for the protection o; 
trade. It will probably remain in the quiet possession of the 
natives'for centuries to ctimd. 

Questions. —Who explored the Missouri/Fcrritory, under the pal 
ronage of president JelTe-rson ? 

How far did they explore this territory *• 

\re there any settlements in this territory : 


TERRITORY OF OU16CONSIN. OR NORTH-WEST 
TERRITORY. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of this territory ? 

A. It is bounded on the N. by the 49th deg. of north lat. m 
British America ; E. by Michigan artd Upper Canada ; $. by 
Illinois; and W. by the river Mississippi. It is about 420 
miles north and south, and 540 east and west in the widest part. 

It contains about 180,000 square miles.,, * 

Q. What, is the population ? 

A. The whole tract is possessed by Indians, except the . 
French settlements upon Fox river, and at the mouth of the. 
Onisconsin ; all which cannot exceed 1000. 

Q. What are the face of the courltiy, soil and climate ? 

A. The country is undulating, but not mountainous ; the 
southern parts and the borders of the rivers and streams, are 
fertile, but the northern parts are barren. The French set 
tlements upon the Fox river, produce wheat, corn, potatoes, 
&c. with large stocks of horses s. i Cattle ; the soil and timber 
are remarkably good. The climate is hot in summer, ami 
cold in winter ; much like the climate of Upper Canada. 

Q. What valuable natural production is fouftd here ? ^ 

A. Wild rice. ‘ “ This plant grows through water from four 
to seven feet deep, but does not take root in a bard, sandy 
bottom ; the blades shoot up from four to eight feet above the. 
surface of the water, and the branches above the water have 
the appearance of oats. When in the milk the Indians bind 
the heads together to secure them from birds ; and when ripe 
they paddle a eano^ alongside of ; .the branches, and upon ; 

i r » y' * 







.2-70 UNITED STATES, 

spread blanket beat out the grain. The squaws soon till thou 
anoes. The grain is said to be as nutricious and as palatabh 
as the true rice.” 

Q. What arc the minerals? 

A. Iron, copper and lead, in great abundance ; also, cop¬ 
peras and alum* 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. Mississippi, Ouisconsin, Fox, and several others, which 
run east, west, and north. “ In the northern parts of this ter¬ 
ritory, and near to each other, are the head sources of three 
great rivers, viz. the Mississippi, the St. Lawrence, and the 
lied or Nelson’s river of Hudson’s bay, all flowing in different 
iirections, and pouring their waters into distinct oceans, at a 
vast distance from each other.” (See the atlas.) 

Q. What are the antiquities and curiosities? 

A. An ancient fortification, four feet high and nearly one 
mile in extent, just below lake Pepin, on the east branch of 
the Mississippi, may be very distinctly traced ; its form is a 
regular circle ; the flanks extending to the river ; the angle?-^ 
are still definitely prominent, and appear to be fashioned with 
great art. Others have been found in different parts of the 
territory. 

“On the eastern bank of the Mississippi has been lound a curi - 
ous cave, about 30 miles below the falls of St. Anthony. The. 
entrance is about 10 feet wide, and the height 5. The arch 
within, nearly 15 feet high and about 30 broad ; the bottom is 
fine sand. Within 20 feet from the entrance is a transparent 
lake, extending to an unknown instance. A pebble thrown 
nto the lake causes an astonishing reverberatory noise. In¬ 
dian hieroglyphics are engraven upon the walls.” 

Q. What Indians possess this territory ? 

A. The Menonomies, Winnebagocs, Foxes, and Chippc 
ways. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of this territory ? 

A. Of this very little is known. The French settlements 
n the Fox and Ouisconsin rivers, commenced before France 
;eded Canada to Great Britain ; but the English had no 
knowledge of this region until it was explored by captain John 
Carver, soon after the peace of 1783. 

Questions. —When and by whom were settlements first made o r ‘ 
the Fox and Ouisconsin rivers? 

When and by whom did the English first obtain a knowledge of tin. 

region r 



TERRITORY OF COLUMBIA 171 


WESTERN TERRITORY, OR TERRITORY OF 
COLUMBIA. 

■L M hat arc the situation and extent of this region ? 

A. It is bounded on the N. by the parallel of 51 deg. 3 (* 
iin. of north lat. by a late treaty with Russia ; E. by th<o 
Hock\’ mountains ; S. by the parallel of 42 deg. north lat. , 
>n;l \V. by the Pacific ocean It is about 80t) miles long and 
•’00 broad ; and contains about 400,000 square miles. 

“The sea coast, unlike that of the Atlantic, opens no great 
ciys, or mouths ot large navigable rivers, except the Colum 
;, ia, to aid the transportation of agricultural productions, and 
'o facilitate commerce. That great river, with its four great 
branches, spreads out in different directions, to avast extent, 
and drains this spacious region, besides extending some of its 
r amifications far beyond, both to the north and south. 

“ The northern branch, which retains the name of Colum¬ 
bia, draws its head, waters from near the. Frozen ocean 
Clark’s' river, interlocking with the head streams of the Mis¬ 
souri, of which some of the extremities ot each are separated 
by a space lesj than 300 rods, flows in a broad circuitou 
oute, in the form of a half circle; a little flatted, and disem¬ 
bogues into tile Columbia abaci latittine 48 degrees. 

“ Lewis’ river rises near the. source of the Yellow Stone, 
and winding its long route in a course more angular, meets the 
lain river, about 180 miles'below the former junction, in lat¬ 
itude 4b r decrees. The easternbranch, by the name of Mult¬ 
nomah, drain.' its hand waters from the same mountain, 
vhich gives rise to two oilier great rivers—the La Platte of 
Missouri, and the Colorado of-Ca!ifornia, that flow to different, 
oceans, 3,000 miles apart. The Multnomah unites with the 
Columbia,.through a mouth 500 yards broad, in latitude 45 
leg. 20 min. ; from whence the latter, which is here more 
than a mile v i.de, after flowing about loO miles, still widening 
in its progress.; to a space of five miles, pours its multitude ot 
c aters into the Pacific? ocean, iri the latitude of 4G deg. 15 
min. This river is navigable 200 miles from the ocean, with¬ 
out any obstruction ; beyond that distance, are several pre- 
ipilous rapids ; here it is one mile in width. Botli this riv 
or, and ail its tributaries, are most abundantly supplied with 
hirnon,, and various other kinds of fish. 

‘•About 100 miles from the sea coast, a ridge of mountains 
xtenus parallel therewith, on each side of the Columbia, 
'• >rth and south, for several hundred miles ; and between this 


.ndge and the Rocky mountains, the country is extremely bro * 
ken and hilly, but occasionally interspersed with beautiful 
rich vallies ; a large portion of the whole surface being al 
most destitute of wood. Here are many tine streams of wa 
ter, and much of the country is well adapted 4o the raising ot 
cattle and sheep. Of the latter a species running wild in the 
woods are sometimes found with fleeces of beautiful tine wool. 
In many places clover, timothy, flax, currants and struwber 
ries, grow spontaneously. 

“Columbia valley, west oi the lowest rapids, is said to be 
many miles wide, and 70 miles in length. It is represented 
as very beautiful, possessing a rich soil, and much of it shaded 
by fine groves of timber. The climate on the sea coast is 
stated to be incommoded with excess of moisture in the at¬ 
mosphere, and drenching rants through the winter season. 
Farther to the east, the climate is pleasant, being much mild¬ 
er than the same parallel of latitude on the shores of the At 
lantic. 

“ The Indians are extremely numerous on the waters *f the 
Columbia, being supposed to amount to nearly 100,000.” 

HISTORY 

Q. What is the history of this region i 

A. The coast on the Pacific had been explored by captain 
Cook, and others, but the interior had never been explored 
until it was explored by captains Clark and Lewis, under the 
patronage of president Jefferson in the year 1 COo. These 
adventurers ascended the Missouri to its sources ; crossed 
over the Rocky mountains, and explored the rivers that bear 
their names, anil descended the Columbia to its mouth. They 
returned without being able to explore the country at any dis¬ 
tance Irom the Columbia, either north or south, and published 
an account ot their adventure, with such facts as they could 
collect. All which se* ve to shew, that a water communication 
from New-York to Astoria, (a village at the mouth of the Co¬ 
lumbia)'and another from New-Orleaos to the same place, 
may be effected with only one portage, between the head 
streams of Missouri and Clark’s rivers, of loss than 300 rods. 

Questions. —By whom was this coast explored ? 

When and by whom was the.rivcr Columbia discovered, and whv was 
it thus called i 

By whom and when was the interior explored ? 

What military post is erected upon the river Columbia - 
What rivers may be united by a portage of 300 rod* 





Another sue a sos-.ance -is not to bo found on the face of the 
whole earth. 

A pass has lately born discovered through the Rocky 
mountains, a little south of the route of Lewis and Clark, that 
will makerW good waggon road. 



■ ‘itand c:;tcrt of ; 

A. It is bounded 1 -orj 'the N. oriel N. L. (according to the 
Spanish treaty) by Red r i ver to 100 deg. west longitude front 
London, thence flue north, to the Arkarisaw, thence up the Ar 
kansaw to ft. A l deg.- thence cine west to a point intersected 
by a right line drawn from-the source of the Rio del Norte ; 
I], by the Sabine river, or the state of Louisiana ; S. E.hy 
th.e gulf of Me , fieO';; oral XV. and S. W, by the Rio Grand del 
Norte. ,lt is about C*GO miles long and 500 broad ; and con 
tains aboritv400,000 square miles 

Q. Vv hat tiro pCpuUatiarr of tfjra-,province l 

\ A. It is unknown ; but must be very small. 

Q* What, are the tare of the «j6ai}>ry, soil and climate : 

A. The face of the country is extensively .level, abounding 
in prairies and open plain?, destitute of wood, arid but few ran 
ges of mountain*. The soil is rather inferior,' except upon 
the borders'of the rivers and streams. The climate is gener¬ 
ally mild and temperate. 

Q. Which arc the pfincipalmcuntains ? 

A. The Chippewanvrnnge--extends through urn north-wes¬ 
tern section of Texn«. 

Q. Which are firs principal rivers ? . 

A. The "Rio Grand del Norte, (Lmdnbu'po,-Colorado, Bras 
ses a Dios, Sabine, Red river, kjz * Several of these- riv'eiv 
afford the best harbors in too gulf of ?>Iexico,*^ 

t The author has thought proper to consider the geography of tie. * 
Spanish province Texas n this place, because the river Del Norte, 
which forms its western boundary,is the most natural "boundary of the 
United States, on tire west;.and bec.atwe the natural Connection of 
T-oxas is mere immediately .with the United States than with Mexico, 
although it is under the jurisdiction of the latter. Texas was for¬ 
merly claimed and possess** t by the Jfrench, and considered by them 
as a part of Frenm\ Lov.siana. in their cession of that country t*. 
Spain, in 17 f J 




17 1 


SPANISH NORTH AMEtU-bA'. 

Q, Why is the Ilio Grand del Norte the most natural boundary 
between Mexico and the United States ? 

A. Because it extends from the gulf of Mexico nearly to the 
i2 deg. of north latitude. It has but few tributary streams, 
is sparingly supplied with water, especially in summer, an.l 
bordered extensively with lands uninviting to settlers, and 
barren to a great distance upon both sides of the river ; nil 
which distinguish this river’as peculiarly fitted for a national 
boundary. 

Q. Which are the principal settlements in Texas ? 

A. *SantaFe is the principal of the province, and most 
northern settlement of Spanish America. It stands upon the 
Rio del Norte, in about latitude 36> and is a place of consid¬ 
erable inland trade. 

Congress have ordered two, roaefs to he surveyed out to 
Santa Fe ; the one from St. Louis, and the. other upon Ar¬ 
kansan' or Red river. 

HISTORY. 

Q What is the history of Texas | 

A. La Salle landed in this province in '1683, arid explored 
the river Gaudaloupe, and the adjacenf country, which laid 
the foundation of the French claims. In J 714, the Spaniards 
from Mexico, crossed the Ilio ‘del Norte ; but they did not 
commence a settlement until 1717, when they occupied the 
Adayes. The French, at the same time, commenced the set¬ 
tlement of Natchitoches ; distant only nine miles. These 
two posts were held by the two governments ; but France ol 
ways claimed all the country east of the Rio del Norte, as a 
part of Louisiana, and ceded the same to Spain by the treaty 
of 1762. 


Questions.— When were the French claims first laid to this prnv 
ince, and by whom ? 

When and where did the Spaniards first commence a settlement 
What settlement did the French make about this time ? 

When did France cede her claims to Spain ? 


SPANISH NORTH AMERICA. 

Q. How is Spanish America divided ? 

A. Spanish North America is divided into the provinces o - 
Aljfvsdeo and Guatimaln. 



MEXICO 





MEXICO. 

What are the situation and extent of Mexico . 

A. Mexico is bounded on the N. by the IJoiled States ; K. 
by the Rio del Norte, or rather by the United' States, (see the 
atlas) ; S. by Guatimala ; and W. by the Pacific ocean It is 
about 1800 miles lofjg and about \200 broad ; and contains 
about 2,000,000 square miles 

Q. What are its civil divisions and population ? 

A. Those under the Spanish government were the proviu 
ro?of01d and New Mexico, California, &c. ; but since Mex- 
ico.has become a free and imlependent.government, the civil 
divisions are not known. Its population is about 3,000,000, 
Spaniards and Indians. These are ‘divided into six classes, 
viz. Whites, Clacks, and Indians ; and these into three oth¬ 
ers, viz. Whites and Indians, Whites and Blacks, and Indians' 
and Blacks. 

• Q. What is the faco of the country ?. 

A. It is low upon the shores oflhe^ulf of Mexico, but ris 
cs into an elevated region, called table-land, $ or 10.000 feet 
above the level of the sea. This table-land is situated upon 
the southern section of the Stony orChippewan mountains ; it 
extends, in som^ measure., a.<r far north as the northern boun 
dary line, and widens witli its extent.* 

The north-western section includes the two California®, 
which stretch along the coast of the Pacific. (See the atlas.; 

The eastern and north-eastern sections include New Mexi¬ 
co, and border upon the deserts'that separate Spanish Ameri¬ 
ca from the United States. 

Q. Which are thS principal mountains ? 

A*. The Stony or Chippewan ranges extend from the north 
ern region down into Mexico, and form the high table-land. 

Q. What volcanoes rise out of this table land, arid what is their 
height ? 

A. Popocatapetl and Orizaba ; each about 18,000 feet 
above the plain. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains of ( alifornia ? 

A. A range extends through the centre of that peninsula, 
and runs parallel with the coast, at the distance of about 100 
miles, until it terminates at mount St. Elias, lat. CON. : alti¬ 
tude of mount St. Elias, 18,000 feet. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The elevated regions or table-lands, south of the tropic., 
arc fertile ; but the northern parts are frequently dry and 
barren The productions are such as are common to the 


SPANISH NORTH AMERICA. 

rojpica! anl temperate regions. The vegetable kingdom o{ 
!his coundry stands unrivalled ; more than 1200 native medi 
rinal plants are found here. Also, resinous gems, oils, &c. ; 
balsams, token and copaivi. 

Q. vVI'lt rre the minerals ? 

A. Gold, silver, iron and lead. Loadstone’abeuiuk in the 
mountain.?. 

Q. Winch arc the mineral springs ? 

A. These are numerous, and strongly impregnated with sul¬ 
phur., nitre, vitriol and alum ; some are so hot as to cook loo ! 
>n a short time. Strong petrifying waters are common, 

Q. 1 hieh ere the principal rivers ? 

A. The Colorado and Buenaventura fall info the Pacific 
■■'000 ; and the Rio Grand del Norte, nn'd others, into the 
■Mi’i of M xico. (See the atlas.) 

Q. Which are the principal lakes r 

A Lake Chapala. Chaleo, and Teznco. 

C Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Mexico is the capital, and great mart of the. kingdom, 
a; ! one of the richest and finest cRics in the new world. Acn- 
is a rich commercial city opon'thr. Pacific ocean, and 


nul 


'0 


the commercial port of Mexico, with the tVcst. Vera Cruz, 
opou the gull of Mexico, is the great commercial port of Mex¬ 
ico, with the cast. „Cnliacan-, Durango, Zacatecas', .St. LuR 
Potosi, Gundalaxara, ruebJ.Tnnd Oaxaca, are rich and flour¬ 
's hi og cities, 

■ l. What is the situation and character of the city c f Mexico r 

A. Mexico is situated lat. id deg. 26 mm. north ; Jon. Ob 
deg. 6 min. west. It statute about equally distant from the 
P .chic ocean anil the gulf of Mexico, near the lake Teznco, 
which serve* as a reservoir for the waters that descend from 
the mountains into a delightful valley, mor» than 230 miles in 
- i ream fere nc<* ; and upon a range of table land ..that is eleva¬ 
tor! more than. 7,000 feet above tha.lcvc! of the sea. This 
city, hen invaded by the Spaniardsfln 1521, was large, and 
rcguhu-iy built ; hut it was nearly destroyed in the -icye. and 
about 100,000 Mexicans were si,un. ' The present city of 
Mexico rose upon its ruins ; is regularly built ; is about four 
miles square, and stands upon an extended plain ; ?he streets 
intersect each other at right angles. H contains more than 
100 magnificent churches, and numerous other o”b!ic build- 
in.'; . The convent of St. Francis has a revenue of £20,000 
irom alms only. The hospital supports more than 1400 u^ed 
f'Ceple and children, with a revenue of £10,000. The mint 
is the most expensive establishment of the kind in the world 


Mexico, 


i 7 '1 


u‘tid employs annually more than 400 workmen. (Juki and si! 
vercopi, plate, church ornaments, vases, &,c. are the princi¬ 
pal articles manufactured. Mexico contains a population of 
about 150,000. 

Q. What is the state bfliterature in the province of Mexico ? 

A. Very low. The city of Mexico contains a university, 
and they have several colleges in other cities for the benetit of 
the rich ; but the mass of the people are as ignorant as the hi 
dians. ’ (L 


Q. Whitt is the state of agriculture ? 

A. In the high temperate regions their ; 


ante. 


igficulture is tokr 


Q. Wherein consists the wealth of this province ? 

n. The wealth of Mexico consists in its extensive mineral 
productions, gold and silver, which supply the world with 
nearly one half of the coin in circulation. 

Q. What is the State of manufactures and commerce ? 

A. They depend upon tbeir foreign commerce for nearh 
all their manufactures, except jdate. Gobi, silver, and tro¬ 
pical fruits, are the principal articles of commercial exchange. 
They manufacture some iron, steel, and enrthern ware, at Tu- 
ebla, near Mexico. 

Q. What is the average amount of exports and imports ? 

A. 1 he amount o f exports is estimated by Humbolt, at 
21,00->,000 dollars, from Vera Cruz only. Imports 11,000,000 
dollars. . 

Q. What is the zoology of Mexico ? 

A. All the domestic animals oi Europe, when transported 
into Mexico, have flourished -well. They have lions and ti 
gers, with all the other animals common to tire Koitli Ameri¬ 
can forest. 


Among the feathered tribes are found 200 species peculiar 
to Mexico, and many of them of delightful note and plumage. 
Q. Arc earthquakes arc common in Mexico ? 

A. They are both frequent and severe at their great volca¬ 


nic eruptions. 

q. What memorable event took place in one of these ? 

A. A vast mountain, called Vulcan dc Juruilo, was thrown 
up, m 1750, to the elevation of J ,700 feet above the level ot 
the plain. 

Q. Are these events common ? 

A. This is the only mountain ever known to have been 
sh U s produced ; but several islands have been thrown up in 
••hi* wav. particularly near the Azores, south of Iceland. 




SPANISH NORTH AMERICA 


i.1b 


HISTORY. 

Q. '.Vhut is the history of Mexico ? 

A. When Corte?, the Spanish adventurer conquenfd Mex 
scoin 1521, he found there a regular and extensive empire, 
under the government of a regular system of laws ; at the 
head of which was a powerful monarch. The city of Mexico 
was a rich and splendid city, regularly built ; and tlic Mexw 
cans were a race of Indians, distinctly different from all the 
'.her Aborigines of America, in every respect, excepting 
,'h *ir personal features. They possessed the arts as exten* 
Aoly as they could be enjoyed in a half civilized state 
Their laws, religion^ and st :te of society, were peculiar t< 
i!h mselves. They were idolaters ; they worshipped the 
- and practised' human sacrifice. The remains of an an* 
r\ .* brick pyramid atChc'.uIa, entire top of which was dis* 
played a golden sun, is one of the evidences of their religious 
■rites. * T’bey-■offered annually 2Cf,<*00 victims to this idol. 
A'her Cortes h id subverted this monarchy, and established a 
hpan h•government,' hr made a formal surrdmlry of his con- 
o jest t the crown of Spain ; and ^Mexico continued a Span¬ 
ish | nee, down to the year 10 1 1, when she threw off the 
dpnmsh eke, and declared herself independent. Mexico. 

■ •id all Sp mish North America, have;gained" their indepen¬ 
dence,, provided they pass ass virtue and intelligence sufficient 
.o maintain it ; this re mams to be tested. 

In 1023, th United States acknowledged the independence 
•oi Mexico, and son.f out a m : n ; ‘ -> - :• orv Vp >> *r>t 

1 iri.sTioN*--. ■■ • - % i i • i and ay who n iVu- .i ixmo wOii^Uvr.u, Uuu »-,• a a * 
was its character as.a government, ? 
dv hat was tip; character of the city of Mexico, and of the natives ? 
Wht! memorable remains ot their religious rites were found ? 

A kmi did Cortes surrender Mexico to the government of Spain, attd 
when did it L jcome independent : - 
Wh:d historical conieq^ures rira/bc derived from the lust cry of Mex¬ 
ico ; (See j ? marks.) 


REMAliKS. 

U* "What ancient •. .dons upon the eastern continent did tko Mexi¬ 
cans resemble, in their government, raid religious rites ? . 

A. The Mexicans resembled the Ehocrflcians and logvn 
i wins. These were regular governments, had the arts, ami 
>:\ their religious riles worshipped the sun. and offered burner 
s.Krifico? to the'r gods : the Egyptians built pyramids, and 




MEXICO. 


170 


; embalmed their dead. They also adorned their temples with 
i the image of the sun, or golden suns. 

Q. What other evidence have we that the Mexicans sprang from 
the Phoenicians, and theso from the Persians or Chaldeans*? 

A. Their knowledge of astronomy which so exactly cor 
i responded. 

Q. Will you illustrate this remark? 

A. The Chaldean shepherds, on the plains of Babylon, be- 
■ the study ofastronomy soon after the Hood ; from thence 
it passed into the west and became the great object of atten¬ 
tion among the Phoenicians and Egyptians, and they regulated 
their navigation by the heavenly bodies ; calculated eclipses, 
and became learned in astronomy ; and from thence the sci¬ 
ence passed into Mexico with the first adventurers. 

Q. What evidence have v/c of this ? 

A. The Abbe Clavigero, in his history of Mexico states, 
that they had discovered, that the year did not consist of of>5, 
nor of 366 days, hut of some intermediate number, which the} 

I supplied by adding 13 days to every 52 years ; which exact 
I ly answers to our leap year. 

Q. How could the Phoenicians and Egyptians reach Mexico? 

A. They had ships, were the first commercial people ; and 
I before the mariners compass was discovered, had sailed round 
I the continent of Africa. If any of these adventurers had 
[ been blown off the coast of the eastern continent, the trade 
winds would have conveyed them into the gulf of Mexico. 

Q. VVheroin do the Mexican rites of sepulture resemble those of the 
| Egyptians? 

A. The Egyptians built their pyramids as their matisolea, 
I of stone, but the Mexicans built their’s in the same form, oi 
brick, and of earth ; remains of the latter are not only found 
i in Mexico, hut throughout the interior of all the western 
states, and in the western parts of the states of Pennsylvania 
and New York, as far north as the lakes ; and a female mum 
my has been found in a cave in Kentucky. 

Q. Are the ancient Mexicans supposed to have been the authors oi 
i all those ancient monuments of art ? 

A. Those people undoubtedly attempted to settle the rich 
[ basin of the Mississippi, and western interior, and were over- 
t powered by the natives ; as wer* 1 many of the first settlements 
! of the English, on the coast of Virginia and Carolina ; and 
I left on long record those monuments of ancient rites, as well 
i us modes ofdefence, common to their nations. 

Q. What corroborative evidence is there of this ? 

A. Inscriptions have been found upon large, flat rocks, it. 

Kentucky, aivi Ohio, supposed to be of the Phoenician oharar 




istr 


SPANISH NORTH AMERICA. 


ter ; but a? that language is lost, the inscriptions cannot be 
decyphered. A copper coin has also been dug up near the 
Wabash, four feet beneath the surface, with a Persian stamp 
and inscription. The engravings of the enchanted mountains, 
in Tennessee, make another link in this chain of conjecture : 
and the mummy found in Kentucky, in 1820*, $hews tbat those 
people embalmed their dead. 

Q. At what age of the world could the Phoenicians 4 , or Egyptians, or 
Mexicans, have made these-settlements .?-■ 

A. It might have been 2,QUO. years sihce’$ because it is 
more than that length of time since the Phoenicians were con¬ 
quered by the Grecians; the Egyptians vvere conquered by 
the Romans 31 years after Christ, Supposing the settle¬ 
ments to have been made within the period of the first thou¬ 
sand years after Christ, even tliat w dislance of time will fully 
account for the growth of timbet upon those ancient tnounds, 

,and the total loss,of tradition amongthc natives. ' f 


GUATEMALA. 

* Q. What arc the situation and extent of Guatimala : 

A. Guatimala is hounded on the N. by Mexico E. by the 
Caribbean sea ; S.by tlye Isthmus of Darien or S. America ; 
and W. by the Pacific ocean. It is about GOO miles long, and 
300 broad in the widest part ; and contains about 330,000 
square miles. 

Q. What arc its civil divisions and population ? 

A. Guatimala is divided into 6 provinces, viz. Chiapn, Ve¬ 
ra Paz, Guatimala, Honduras Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Its 
population is about 2,000,000. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. Guatimala is level upon the eastern slvore ; but inter 
sected in the interior, from north to south, by the continua¬ 
tion of the Rocky mountains, which extend down to the Isth¬ 
mus, where they meet the Cordilleras or Andes of S. Amer¬ 
ica. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. The climate near the coast is hot and unhealthy ; buj 
in the interior it is mild and salubrious. «■* 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The Andes of S. America extend up to this country, 
and commence the Rocky mountains ofNorth America. Vol- 
- 'anoes are more numerous here than in Mexico, and earth¬ 
quakes are more frequent: about twenty volcanoes are in 
constant action. 


NATIVES OF-NORTH AMERICA. 18 ) 

| 

. * ' 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil is very fertile, and the tropical fruits are 
abundant. The interior is well supplied with horses, cattle, 
and sheep ; and agriculture is more flourishing than in tie 
I mineral regions of Mexico. 

Q. What dye woods are found in this province ? 

A. Upon the shores,of lake Nicaragua is found Nicaragua 
A'oody and upon the buy of Honduras',, the English have a set 
tlement where they procure log-wood and mahogany. 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. The same as in Mexico ; but they are not so abundant. 

Q. Which are tho principal hays and gulfs ? 

A 1 flq hay ot Honduras, and the gulf of Amatique. 

Q. Which are the principal river's ? 

A. The rivers are numerous: but they are too small u 
require particular notice ; (see,the Atlas.) 

Q. Which is the principal lake ? 

A. 'fhe lake Nicaragua. ' 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Guatimala is the capital ; the old town has been twice 
destroyed by earthquakes ; the present city stands 25 miles 
south of the old site ; and is a magnificent place, adorned 
with splendid churches, monasteries, and other public build 
ings. The University is flourishing, and the best in Spanish 
North America ; the population exceeds 20,000. Chiapa, 
Leon, Guatimala, Vatadolid, Vera Paz, and Carthage, are large 
flourishing towns. 

Q. What important event is now taking place in this province ? 

A. A canal is now in great forwardness through lake Nica¬ 
ragua, across the isthmus, to unite the Caribbean sea with the 
Pacific ocean. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Guatimala ? 

A. It was a province of the Mexican Empire at the time of 
the conquest of Qortez, and at that time fell under the do¬ 
minion of Spain, and continued under the Spanish govern¬ 
ment until they threw off the yoke, and declared their inde¬ 
pendence in 1811. They are now attempting to establish a 
free government. 

NATIVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 

Q. What are the character and history of the natives of Norfl 
America ? 

A. In their physical character they have all a strong rfc* 

!6 



NATIVES OF NORTH AMERICA. 


m 

semblance, excepting the Esquimaux of Labrador and the 
northern regions ; these are a dwarfish race peculiar tothem 
selves. 

The other tribes are tall and straight in their persons 
well proportioned, with long, straight, black hair; small, 
black eyes ; teeth, white and regular ; with olive skins, and 
firm athletic constitutions. In their walk the}’ carry their 
chins high, with ajfirtn arid manly step. They lire shrewd in 
their intellectual powers, with strong retentive memories. 
Warm friends, but implacable enemies. Mild in peace: 
fierce and intrepid in war. Easily provoked ; but not easily 
appeased. Strong national pride, that disdains to ask even 
life of ah enemy ; but takes delight, and even glories in the 
torture, and death of their enemies. They have no books 
but nature’s volume, wherein they learn the arts of war, and 
of the chase ; by which they defend and support themselves. 
The same volume teaches them how to construct their wig¬ 
wams or dwellings, their bows and arrows,.as weapons of war, 
or the chase ; their wampum for ornament, stone hatchets, as 
substitutes for the axe, ^nncHheir stone mortars, to grind or 
pound their corn ; the art of dressing skins for clothing, and 
the art of weaving mats from the bark of trees or Indian hemp. 
Also, the art of ship-building, so far as to construct canoes 
from the bark of trees, Hint are both safe anil portable. 

Their husbandry is confined to the .-culture of a few sim¬ 
ples, such as corn, beans, potatoes, melons, &c. ; these sup¬ 
ply their wants, for nature’s Wants are few. 

The same volume of -nature teaches them bow to heal their 
diseases, and cure their wounds, by the plants that grow in 
nature’s garden. When these fail they often use the cold or 
warm bath. But their diseasei are few ; and their remedies 
few and simple* , 

The employments of the men are more generally confined 
to war and hunting ; the squaws till the ground, rear the chil¬ 
dren, nurse the sick, do the drudgery, and when they travel, 
carry the pappoose upon their backs. In fine, the squaws are 
the slaves. This is not only true of savage life, but of all 
countries where the gospel is not enjoyed. 

The amusements of the men are such athletic exercises as 
are best calculated to render them dexterous, either in war or 
the chase. Their war dances are always round a large fire, 
in which they sing the feats of their warriors, and in their ges¬ 
tures act over the scenes of the combat. The squaws sel¬ 
dom, if ever, join in their sports, or enjoy amusements or re¬ 
creations among themselves. 


NATIVES OF NORTH AMERICA 


1^3' 

The dress of both sexes is very similar, and is adapted di¬ 
rectly to the season : in summer very light ; in winter the 
skins of the chase keep them warm. All classes are fond of 
show ana ornaments : but the chiefs take great delight'in 
painting themselves for war or public shows. If for war, the 
more hideous their figures, the more highly ornamental. 

Their habitations, or wigwams, are mere pens, inclosed 
i and covered with b*rk or brush' with an aperture at the top, 

I through which the smoke of the fire ascends ; the earth their 
I bedstead, and skms their bed and covering. They usually 
I sleeo around the fire, with their feet inward, like so many ra¬ 
il dii ol a circle. 

Their domestic utensils are such as are necessary to pound 
| the corn, roast or boil their food ; and at the same time may, 
| be carried by hand, or on their backs, when they remove. 
Their food is such as the chase affords, or fish when they 
can be obtained ; and this they devour uncooked, whenever 
I the situation of their enemies, or their own removals render it 

I i necessary. 

Their money consists in wampum, sjdns, shells, or such ar¬ 
ticles of barter, as nature requires. A belt of wampum is 
I generally used as a confirmation of a treaty , or any other en- 
I gagement, assurance or promise* 

Social intercourse between the sexes is not known; a 
| squaw is a degraded, savage slave, who knows no better con- 
|j dition. 

The language of the Indians is strong, bold, nervous, and 
| energetic ; capable of powerful expression : and they pos- 
I sess powerful means of using it. In fine, both in utterance 
| and gesture, they are nature’s orators, who rise or fall with 
I the magnitude of their subject : but their language possesses 
j nothing of the social turn, and is barren of .those expressions 
peculiar to the tete a tete of social life. 

War is the study and delight of the savage ; and this he 
conducts, by surprising and destroying his enemies; or if dis¬ 
covered too soon, by. rushing to the conflict with duringintre- 
; pidity, and rending the air with bis horrid yells, whilst the 
I combat continues : but his chief delight is in the torture of 
|| bis captives. 

The governments of the tribes are absolute. The will of 
| the chief, or sachem, is fixed, and binding upon the whole ; 
l! but in all questions of war or peace, and in ail treaties, espe- 
I cially such as regard a sale, or exchange of property, the 
chief always assembles his council of old men, or warriors^ 






i-8'4- NATIVES OF NORTH A BIERICA. 

.md the subject is fairly and fully discussed. The young men 
often attend in council, but never speak. Although the voice 
of the majority is generally decisive, still it is in the power 
of the chief alone to decide. They speak deliberately, lis- 
"ten attentively, and such is their memory, that they often re¬ 
tain a long speech, and in their reply the next day, repeat it 
"orrectly. 

The religion of the Indians corresponds with the religion 
of all the ancient heathen nations, as well as the more modern. 
They believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, who made 
and governs all things, whom they call the Great Spirit. Him 
they consider as the author of all good. They believe also 
n an evil deity, whom they consider as the author of all 
evil. The first, they worship as the object of their Jove: 
and the other, as the object of their fear. 

Marriages among the Indians are considered as temporary 
contracts, but they often, ^f not generally, continue through 
life. The squaw, however, is never considered by the par¬ 
ties as being any thing more than the menial of her sanup or 
husband. 

The rites of sepulture are more uniform among the Indians 
than any other rites. They generally bury their dead in a 
.sitting posture, with their clothes on, and faces towards the 
east ; accompanied with their arms, and other utensils, ne¬ 
cessary for a long journey •_ for they believe in a future 
state, where they expect to visit their friends and relations, 
whose smiles will reward their virtues, and whose frowns 
will punish their crimes. Loud howhngs, bv way of mourn¬ 
ing, at the sepulture of their dead, are common among the 
Indians. It is usual for some tribes to collect the bones of 
their dead, and deposit them in a Gomrnon cemetery, now call¬ 
ed a barrow. 

The resemblance of the natives of America, in form ansi 
feature, as well as in manners and customs, to the northern 
Asiatics, has led to a general belief, that they migrated from 
that continent, across Beering’s straits ' r a distance of only 41 
miles, which may often be passed upon the ice. 

It lias become a very fashionable opinion, that the natives 
of North America are descendants of the ten tribes of Israel, 
and has the following authority of William Penn. “ For their 
origin (the natives) l am ready to believe them ofthe Jewish 
race ; I mean ofthe stock of the ten tribes, and that for the 
following reasons. First, they were to go to a land not plan - 
led nor known, (2 Esdras xiii 39—=50,) which to be sure Asia 


185 


* WEST Ii’flilFX 

^ntl Africa were, and even Europe ; and he that intended that 
extraordinary judgment, might make their passage easy to 
them, as it is not impossible to cross from the easternmost 
parts'of Asia to the westernmost parts of America. In the 
next place, I find them of like*countenance, and their chil¬ 
dren of so lively a resemblance, that a man could think him¬ 
self in Duke’s place, or Berry street, London,, where he 
seetb them. But this is not all : they agree in rites, they 
reckon by moons, they offer their first fruits; they have a 
kind of feast of tabernacles, they ore said to lay their altar 
upon twelve stones, their mourning a-year, the customs of 
women, &,c.” 

For the local residences of the most respectable confeder¬ 
acies and'tribes, s*'e. the map of the United States. 

Q,UBSTiONS.--What are the characteristic features of the natives of 
N. America? 

What is their means of acquiring knowledge ? 

What i? their husbandry ? 

What are their employments ? Amusements ? Dress ? Habitations ? 
What are their domestic utensils? Food? Money ?. Social intercourse 
What is their language/ Chief delight ? Government ? Religion ? 

What are the rites of marriage ? Sepulture ? 

What is their origin? 


WEST INDIES. 

Q. What islands are included in the term West Indies, and how are 

they situated ? ™ a 

A. The Bahama Isles, that he off the coast of East F lorida, 

the Great Antilles, which lie south of the Bahamas ; the Vir¬ 
gin Isles, that lie near to the Great Antilles ; the Cariobes, 
that Lie contiguous to the two latter ; and the Lesser Antilles, 

that lie near, the Spanish Maine. 

Q, Why are these islands called West Indies ? * 

A. Because they were supposed to be connected with the 
Indies of the East, at the time of their discovery . 

Q. What are the situation and extent of these islands r 
A They lie in the form of a crescent, or semi-circle, ex- 
ending across the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico, from the 
coast of Florida, nearly to the river Oronoce, in S. America 
Q. What is their population ? 

A. (Seethe following table.) 

v IS* 







13$ 


WEST INDIES. 




Bahama 

r slands. 




Tot. Pop. 

Whites. 

Tot. Pop. Whites . 

Bahama 

) 





Providence 

> 14,318 

2,052 




Abaco, &c. 

s 







Great Antilles. 



Cuba 

620,930 

280,203 1 

j Jamaica 

359,912 


St. Domingo 

650,000 

40,000 

| Porto Ptico 

130,000 



(Carribee) Leezvard Islands. 



St. Thomas 

5,000 


Antigua 

35,301 

2,102 

Santa Cruz 

28,812 

2,223 

Montserrat 

10,750 

1,000 

Tortola 

11,520 

1,300 

Mariegalante 

12,400 


Anguilla 

800 


Guadaloupe 

114,839 

1.2,747 

St. Eustatia 

20,0 0 

— 5,000 

Dominica 

26,036 

1,325 

St. Christopher 

27,998 

W 1,800 

St. Bartholomew 8*000 


Nevis 

16,000 

6,000 





(Carribee) Windward Islands. 



Martinico 

95,206 

9,20 

Greneda 

31,362 

1,21© 

Barbadoes 

93.000 

16,000 

Tobago 

- 16,483 

900 

St Lucia 

16,640 

1,2. 0 

Irimdad • 

25,245 

2,261 

St. Vincent 

23,493 

8.7 






Lesser Antilles. 



Margarita 

14,000 

‘ 5,300 




Curacoa 

8,080 ' 


! 



P*uen Ayre 



1 




Total populati®n of the W." Indies, 2,408»0S5.. 


Q. Who possess these islands ? 

A. St. Domingo is in possession of the blacks ; Cuba a mat 
Porto Rico belong to Spain ; .Guadeloupe, Martinico a-n d Ma- 
riegalante to France ; St. Euslatia, Curacoa an.4 Buen-Ayre 
to the Netherlands ; St. Bartholomew to Sweden ; Margarita 
forms apart of Venezuela j the remainder belong to Great. 
Britain. 

Q. What is the climate of these islands ? 

* A. They are exposed to a tropical heat that would be in¬ 
supportable, if not alleviated by the land and sea breezes, 
which refresh them, and render the climate comfortable. 
rSome of the mountainous regions enjoy a mild temperature. 

Q. How are these winds regulated ? 

A. The sea-breezes comgpence about 8 or 9 o’clock in the 
morning, and blow upon the'land through the. day. The land 
breezes commence at evening, and blow off the land through 
the night. 

Q. How are the seasons divided ? 

A, The same as in South America, into rainy and dry 








WEST INDIES. 


nr 


Q. What other winds are common to these islands ? 

A. The trade winds, which extend 20 or 30 degrees north 
and south of the equator, and blow from the north-east to the 
south-west upon the north' side, and from the south-east to 
the north-west on the south side, and meet upon the equator, 
(See the map of the world.) 

Q. Where do these winds commence ? 

A. Near the coast of Africa, and extend across to America. 

Q. Do these winds cause a current in the ocean ? 

A. Yes,: and this current sets into the Gulf of Mexico ; 
and thence along the coast of North America, as far as the 
coast of Newfoundland, and thence taking a north-eastern di¬ 
rection is lost in the oqean. £ 

Q. What Is this current called ? 

A. It is called the gulf stream. 

Q. Are these the winds and current that are supposed t» have waft¬ 
ed the Phoenicians or Egyptians to Mexico ? 

A. The*same ; and it was a vaFy natural event. (See re¬ 
marks on Mexico, page. 170.) 

Q. What other winds are common to these islands ? 

A. Tornadoes or hurricanes. 

Q- What are the effects of these winds~ 

A. They are short, but violent, attended with terrible thun ¬ 
der and lightning, rain, and often hail ,, prostrating houses, - 
trees, plantations, find whatever interrupts their course ; the 
torrents of rain often deluge the plains, and the sea overflows 
the coast,, laying waste the country, and destroying the ship¬ 
ping in the ports. 

Q. What is the general pfcriod of these winds? 

A. They seldom continue more than 24 or 36 hours * but 
their period'continues from August to October and Novem¬ 
ber : it is then followed by a delightful season until May. 

Q. What are the diseases of these islands? 

A. Malignant autumnal fevers of the stamp of yellow fevei, 
are common to these islands, particularly among strangers 
who are not accustomed to the climate. 

Q. What is the general face of the country upon these islands ? 

A. A mountainous ridge extends through these islands gen 
erally’, which divides them into high and low lands, or moun 
tains and coast. 

Q. What tare the soil and productions generally ? 

A. These islands produce the cane, from which are made 
rum, sugar and molasses ; also, cotton^ cocoa, ginger,.pepper, 
pimento or alspice, together with the tropical fruits. They 
iepend ea foreign trade for all their articles ef clothing and. 


188 


WEST-INDIES. 


' support, except a little corn, yams, and sweet potatoes, which 
they raise for food. 

Q,, By whom are these islands cultivated ? 

A. By black slaves altogether. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. Literary institutions are little known in the West-Indirs. 
The rich planters send their, sons abroad for education, and 
the others remain in ignorance. 

HI*S TORY. 

Q. What is the history of the West-Indies ? 

A. Immediately alter the discovery by Columbus, in 1492, 
the Spaniards commenced the settl£oiejpt of Hispaniola ; and 
as their settlements extended, they enslaved the natives ; a 
race of Indians, mild and docile in their manners and disposi¬ 
tions, and delicate in their frames and constitutions, (from the 
nature of the climate and their mode of living) until by their 
cruel oppression, they had nearly exterminated the whole 
population of that island ; supposed at that time to have been 
about 500,000. 

This cruel treatment of the natives led the king of Spain to 
consent to the importation of blacks irom Africa, into his West 
India colonies, to relieve such of.the natives as had survived 
their cruel oppression. The plan succeeded so far, that Af¬ 
ricans were imported in large numbers, (and even particular 
companies were specially privileged for the purpose, by the 
Spanish government) until they became the sole labourers of 
the islands. 

The government of Hayti has become an exception to this 
policy, as may be seen wider the history of Hispaniola or St. 
Domingo. 

Questions.— When and by whom were the West-Indies discover¬ 
ed and settled ? 

What was the conduct of the first settlers towards the natives, an* 
what were the consequences ? 

©frat antttlfB. 

Which are the islands calledJ3rreat Antilles ? 

A. Cuba, Hispaniola or Str Domingo, Porto Rico, and Ja¬ 
maica. 


CUBA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Cuba ? 

A. Cuba lies off the southern point, or cape of Florida c 





CUBA, I8ir 

distant about 100 miles. It is about 700 miles long and 100 
broad. 

Q. Whatis the face of the country ? 

A. The interior is mountainous ; bub the coast is general 
ly level. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil upon the streams and the plains of Havanna is 
rich and fertile, and produces the cane, cotton, and all the 
tropical fruits. 

Q. What arc the minerals? 

A. Gold and silver ; and some gold dust is* found in the 
streams ; but iron and copper abound in thp island. 

Q. By whom is Cuba cultivated? 

A. By about 100,000 black slaves. 

Q. What are the exports ef Cuba ? 

A. Sugar, coffee, tobacco, hides, spices, and all the tropical 
fruits. 

Q. What is the present state of commerce ? 

A. It is not only flourishing but increasing. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Havanna is the capital ; it is remarkable for the extent 
and safety of its harbor, and the strength of its,fortifications, 
particularly the Moro Castle, at the entrance of the port. 
Matanzas is a flourishing commercial place, near Havanna. 
St. Jago.de Cuba is a place of some trade, with a good harbor,„ 

HISTORY, 

Q. What is the history of Cuba ? 

A. The Spaniards first settled this island about the year 
1511, and held a quiet possession until the year 1762. The 
city of Havanna was then taken by the English, under the 
command of lord Albemarle and admiral Pococke ; but it was 
restored to Spain at the treaty of Palis, February, 1763, up. 
on the principles of uti possidetis. 


HISPANIOLA, OR ST. DOMINGO. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Hispaniola, or St. Do¬ 
mingo ? 

A. This island lies about 50 miles south-east of Cuba, and 
is the next in size and value ; being 450 miles long, and 150 
broad. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

1, The island is divided by an elevated range of mountains, 


190 


WEST-INDIES. 


some peaks of which shoot up 6000 feet above the level of the 

sea. ♦ / * 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil is fertile, and richly rewards the cultivator 
with all the tropical fruits common to the West-Indies. 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. The same as in Cuba. 

Q. What is the commerce,? 

A. The exports in 1823, to the U. States alone, amounted 
to more than two million of dollars. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

* A. St. Domingo and Cape Francois were the capitals, until 
the latter Was destroyed by the blacks, in 1793 ; after that 
time Port ail Prince became one of its capitals-; but since the 
blacks have conquered the Spanish part of the island, they 
have made cape Henry the sole capital .of the Republic ot 

ilayti. , ;i. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. The Black republicans of Ilayti were the first to com¬ 
mence a regular system of instruction in the W. Indies. They 
have established free schools and a college ; and are founding 
their republic upon the basis of intelligence, industry, and 
commerce. 


HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Hispaniola, or St. Domingo ? 

A. This island was discovered by Columbus, in 1492, who 
settled a colony h*re before he returned to Spain. The rich¬ 
es of thg island, particularly gold, which Columbus displayed 
at court on his return, induced numerous adventurers to visit 
the island ; and the settlements, as well as avarice of the 
Spaniards, in a few years destroyed the natives, which led to 
the introduction of African slavery. These slaves, or rather 
their descendants, and others afterwards imported, seized on 
the island in 1793?, and planted that system of liberty which 
they caught from the French republic, and have extended it 
over the island. The chiefs that distinguished themselves in 
the revolution, were Tousant, Christophe and Dassalines ; 
the last became Emperor. 

The year after general Bonaparte was made Consul of 
France, (1801) he sent out a strong military force, under the 
command of general Le CLerc, to reduce to obedience the re¬ 
volted blacks of Hispaniola ; but the diseases of the climate, 


PORTO RICO. T9i 

i>r.(i the swords of the blacks, destroyed this army, and the isl¬ 
and lernained free. . 

It is worthy of special remark, that African freedom com¬ 
menced'where African slavery began ; and it now appears 
probable that their liberty will progress in the course their 
slavery pursued, until Afric’s sons shall become free through 
out the world. 

At Hayti or St. Domingo, president Royer now holds out 
the olive branch to all his sable brethren, and many are flock¬ 
ing to his government. England, France, and the United 
States, are promoting by law the freedom of the x\frican race. 

In 1825, Charlps X. king of France, entered into a treaty 
with president Boyer, which acknowledged fully the indepen¬ 
dence of I favti, or the consider H ion of $30,000,000. 

Questions. — When and by whom was Hispaniola discovered, and 
what were the consequences ? 

When did the slaves assert their independence, and who were the 
principal chiefs ? 

When and under whom did France attempt to subdue the blacks, and 
what was the result ? 

What is worthy of particular notice upon this subject ? 

Who is the president of Hayti and what is his character ? 

What Christian nations are promoting by law African freedom t 
When did France acknowledge the independence of HaytiJ* 


PORTO RICO. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Porto Rico ? 

A. It lies about 60 miles east of Hispaniola or St. Domingo ; 
is about 140 miles long and 40 broad. 

Q. What is the character of this island ? * 

A. Much the same as that of Hispaniola or St. Domingo. 

Q. Which are its capitals ? , 

A. Porto Rico and. St. Juan, are both commercial ports ; 
the latter is strongly fortified. 

Q. What is an average amount of the exports of this island : 

A. About nine or ten million of dollars. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history ef this island ? ^ 

A. It was settled by the Spaniards soon after they settles 
Jlispaniola ; and still continues in their possession. 

' 





WEST-INDIES. 


tii 


JAMAICA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Jamaica 

A. It lies about 10 J miles south of Cuba ; is 150 miles Ion# 
and 30 or 40 broad. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. One vast pileof rocks extends through the centre ofthe 
island ; the summit of which, called Blue peak, rises 7 or 
§000 feet above the level of the sea. 

Q. What advantages are derived from this range ? 

A. Numerous streams of pure water flow from these moun¬ 
tains, which may be considered as peculiar to this island. 

Q. What are the productions of Jamaica ? 

A. Rum, sugar and molasses, which generally claim a pre¬ 
ference in market ; also, cocoa, ginger, cinnamon, and Jamai¬ 
ca pepper or pimento, commonly known by the name of al- 
spice. The poisonous machineel is found here, whose fruit 
is delightful to the view, but poisonous and fatal. 

Q. What valuable trees are found in Jamaica ? 

A. It abounds with rare, curious, and valuable trees ; such 
as the cabbage tree, more hard than lignumvitae ; the oil yield¬ 
ing palma ; the soap tree, mangrove, and olive ; also, fustic, 
red-wood, and log-wood, for dies. 

Q. What are the annual exports and imports ? 

A. In 1819, the exports amounted to £3,033,234 ; the 
imports amounted to £4,068,170. 

Q. Which are the capitals? 

A. Kingston is a place of great wealth, situated upon a spa¬ 
cious bay that will contain 1000 ships ^founded in 1692 ; pop¬ 
ulation 33,000 Spanish Town is the residence of the gov¬ 
ernor. 


HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Jamaica ? 

A. It was settled by the Spaniards soon after the settlement 
of Cuba. It was'takan by the English in 1756, and confirmed 
to Great Britain by the peace of 1763, and has continued one 
of her most valuable colonial possessions. 


Jlafiama, or JLucafies Isles. - 

Q. What are the situation and character of these Isles ? 

A. They lie off the coast of Florida, and extend nearly te 
the island of St. Domingo ; are about 500 in number, but on 


BERMUDAS, OR SOMERS 5 ISLANDS. 


1SS 


ly five of them are inhabited, viz. New Providence, Cat, Har¬ 
bour, Eleuthra and Exurna. Turks Islands, so called, are in¬ 
habited during the season of gathering salt, with which they 
greatly abound. 

Q. What are the productions of these islands ? 

A. They are generally a vast cluster of barren rocks, pro¬ 
ducing some cotton, lignumvitse, and dye-woods ; New Prov¬ 
idence is the most fruitful, and yields all the tropical fruits. 
They are noted for a class of people, called wreckers, who 
subsist chiefly by plundering such vessels as are wrecked on 
their passage through the keys, or narrows. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of these islands ? 

A. They are famous for being the first land discovered by 
Columbus, particularly Cat Island, which he called St. Salva¬ 
dor. The Spaniards soon exterminated the nativesyas in the 
ether islands. 

Charles II. king of Spain, granted these islands to the pro¬ 
prietors of Carolina, about the middle of the 17th century, 
and they built Nassau, the capital of New Providence. In 
the time of the American revolution, the English took, and 
continue to hold them. 


23 enuitTras, or Sob ers 

Q. What are the situation and character of these islands ? 

A. The Bermuda islands lie as fir north as latitude 31 deg. 
30 min. yet they are generally classed among the YVest-India 
islands. They are a barren group, about 400 in number, 
very small and rocky ; and some of them are mountainous. 
They are not capable of being cultivated, yet yield excellent 
timber for ship building, particularly ied cedar. 

Q,. What is the capital ? 

A. St. George, and the only town of note on these island* 

Q. What is the general employment of the Bermudians? 

A. Commerce and ship building. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is tlie history of these islands ? 

A. *They derived their name from John Bermudas, a Span¬ 
iard, who first discovered them in the 16th century, The^ 
are possessed by the English, and are valuable only as ports 
«f safety for their ships, when upon the coast. They were 

17 





WEST-INDIES. 


TS4 

rendered noted by the disaster of admiral Somers, in the yea* 
1G09, who was cast away on these rocks, on his passage from 
England to Virginia. 

(Cnrtfcfocr J&ies. 

What are the situation and character of these islands r 

A. The Caribbes lie east and south of Porto Rico, and ex 
tend in a regular chain nearly to the mouth of the river Oro 
noco, in South America ; completely encircling the entrance 
of the Caribbean sea* 

Q. How are the Caribbes divided ? 

A. Into leeward and windward islands. .(See table, page 
186.) 

Q. Why are these islands thus divided ? 

A. In regard to the trade winds, which blow on the north 
side of the equator, from the north-east to the south-west, in 
the range of these islands, and produce a constant current. 

Q. What are the climate ajid productions of these islands ? 

A. Such as have been described as common to the West- 
Indies ; they all abound in the fruits of the cane, and are gen¬ 
erally well cultivated by the slaves. 

Q. What other small islands belong to this group? 

A. Santa Cruz, or St. Croix, noted for its rum and sugar : 
St. Thomas and St. John’s, of little note. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of these islands ?" 

A. They have frequently, changed their masters in the 
great struggles for supremacy in Europe, and are now owned 
by all the European maritime powers ; but mostly by England. 


liCttle gtctnir* 

Q. What are the situation and character of these islands r 

A. They lie in the Caribbean sea, off the coast of Terra 
Eirma, or Venezuela. 

Q. Which are the principal ? 

A. The principal are Curracoa, Aruba, Buen-Ayre, Or- 
ehilla, Tortuga, and Margi.ritta. 

Q. What are the climate and productions of these islands r 

A. Such as are common to the West-Indies ; but these lie 
more remote from the United States, and are less frequented 
for trade., than the othe# islands. 





SOUTH AMERICA. 


195 


HISTORY. 

What is the history of these islands ? 

A. They were noted for the residence of the Buccaniers 
m the ! 7th century. 


SOUTH 

Q. What are the situation and extent r>f South America ? 

A. South America lies between 12 deg. of north latitude, 
and 56 deg. of south latitude*; and between 35 deg. and 81 
leg. of west longitude ; is about 4,000 miles long, and 3,000 
broad, at its widest extent. 

Q. Which are the civil and statistical divisions cf South America i 

A. It is divided into Colombia on the north ; Guiana and 
Brazil on the east; Peru and Chili on the west; La Plata, or 
Buenos Ayres, in the middle ; and Patagonia on the south. 

Q. What is the faoe of the country ? 

A. Sooth America is the boldest, and most striking draught 
of nature, that is presented to view. The whole face of the 
country abounds with the loftiest, as well as th longest ranges 
of mountains ; the most extensive plains and basins, and the 
largest rivers in the world. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains : 

A. The Andes or Cordilleras, which stretch through the 
whole extent of South America. 

Q. What are the local situations of these mountains? 

A. The principal chain or main body lies upon the western 
side of the continent, and in its course varies from one to two 
hundred miles, in distance from the coast. 

Q. What are the principal characteristics of the Andes ? 

A. They generally rise abruptly, with numerous and fright 
ful precipices ; they shoot up their lofty summits far above 
the regions of the clouds, and are covered with perennial 
snows; yet their declivities present to view all the climates 
and productions of the earth. In some parts* they unite in 
one compact chain, and in others they divide into two or three 
ridges, leaving a plain, or space of five or six leagues in width 
between. 

Q. Which is the highest elevation of this chain ? 

A. Chimborazo, near the equator, which is about 20,000 
feet above the level of the sea ; and is the highest mountain.. 
in:America,. 








196 


SOUTH AMERICA 


Q. Which are the principal branches of the Andes 

A. The chain of Venezuela extends from the main body 
through the interior of the northern section of South Ameri¬ 
ca, nearly to the shores of the Atlantic, and gives rise to the 
river Oronoco, and the northern branches of the Amazon. 

Q, What are the highest elevations of this branch ? 

A. Many of its summits rise to 10 and 15,000 feet above 
the level of the sea. 

Q. Which are the other branches ? 

A. A second branch, near the 1 Oth-degree of south latitude, 
extends in broken ridges nearly across the continent, and gives 
rise to the southern branches of the river Amazon, and to the 
Paraguay. 

The third lateral branch *hoots off near the 20th degree of 
south latitude, and extending across the continent, unites with 
the mountains of Brazil. 

Q. Which are the grand physical divisions of South America ? 

A. The western declivity, the basins of the Oronoco, the 
Amazon, the Paraguay, and the Brazilian or eastern, and 
southern sections. 

Q. What is the character of the western declivity ? 

A. It stietches the whole extent of the Andes, from one to 
two hundred miles in width ; is abrupt in its ascent from the 
ocean ; abounds with short and rapid streams ; and is the seat 
of the kingdoms of Chili, Peru, and the western section of 
Colombia. 

Q. What is the character of the northern section ? 

A. That part that lies north of the northern range of moun¬ 
tains, may be considered as one extended plain, rising but lit 
tie above the level of the sea, and through which the river 
Oronoco, with its tributary streams, winds its course more 
than 1,000 miles. This valley, excepting Los Llanos, is in¬ 
comparably fertile. 

Q. What is tire character of the basin of the Amazon ? 

A. The Amazon is formed by the declivity of the Andes on 
the west, the declivity of the first branch on the north, and 
the declivity of the second branch on the south : embracing 
an extent of about 2000 miles in length, and 1600 in breadth. 
This whole extent is richly watered by the majestic Amazon 
and its numerous tributary streams. Rich mines of gold are 
found here. 

Q,. What is the character of the basin of the Paraguay ? 

A. This is formed by the declivity of the Andes on the west, 
(he declivity of the second branch on the north, and the de¬ 
clivity of the Brazilian chain on the east. This basin is near* 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


197 


>y as extensive as that of the Amazon, and abounds with the 
precious metals. In the interior of this section is an extent 
of high table-land, from which streams descend in all direc¬ 
tions. 

Q- What is the character of the Brazilian, or eastern section ? 

A. A chain of mountains extend along the coast, from the 
river La Plata or Paraguay, to cape St. Roque ; few rivers 
pass this chain from the interior, and few settlements are made 
under its eastern declivity. The interior is mountainous ant! 
broken, until it descends into the basin of the Amazon. 

Q. What is the character of the southern section ? 

A. A cold, broken, barren, and uninviting region, possessed 
by the natives. 

Q. What are the minerals of South America ? 

A. Diamonds are found in Brazil ; but gold and silver mines- 
are more abundant than in any other part of the world. 

INLAND NAVIGATION. 

Q. What is the inland navigation of South America ? 

A. It is entirely confined to the natural streams. 

Q. What are the natural advantages of inland navigation in the 
western section ? 

A. It is almost entirely excluded ; the rivers are all short 
and rapid. 

Q. What are the facilities of inland navigation in the northern sec¬ 
tion ? „ ' • 

A. That portion which lies within the basin of the Orono- 
co, has great facilities of inland navigation, through that river 
and its tributary streams ; but that part of the section that 
lies north-west of this basin has no facilities, excepting through 
the river Magdalena to Carthagena. 

Q. What are tne facilities of the section of the Amazon ? 

A. The bold waters of the river Amazon would admit of 
the passage of ships, 2,000 miles, if the rapid current did not 
prevent ; boat navigation extends about 3,000 miles ; the 
navigation of this river, like that of the Mississippi, may be 
greatly improved by steam boats. 

Q. What natural communication is there between the Amazon and 
Oronoco ? 

A. The branches of the two rivers interlock between the 
Negro and Carsiquiari, so that boats may pass at high water. 
The lake Perima forms also a link in this chain. 

Q. What are the facilities of the section of Paraguay ? 

A. The navigation of the river Paraguay or La Plata is al 
so very extensive : ships of almost any burden can pass up to 
Assumption, 1©00 miles, and boats about 1800. 

17 * 



i as 


SOUTH AMERICA: 


The Pilcomayo branch extends into the mineral regions, 
$ad serves as a conveyance lor the rich treasures ol the gold 
and silver mines. The Parana and Cuyaba branches also ex- 
f.eftd into rich mineral regions. 

Q. What are the facilities of the eastern, or Brazilian section ? 

A. The St. Francis and Tocantmes, are the only rivers of, 
note that extend into the interior. The commerce across the 
mountains is carried on principally by the use of mules. 

Q. What are the facilities of the southern section ? 

A. None : and it will probably need none. 

ZOOLOGY. 

Q,. What is the zoology of South America ? 

A. Their rivers abound vv.th serpents and crocodiles, like 
the Nile in Egypt. They produce also the electrical Eel, 20 
or 30 teet iong : a shock of which would kill a man. The 
Sloth is found also in South America. 

Q. What is peculiar to this animal ? 

A. The Sloth is about the size of a monkey, and never 
moves, unless impelled by hunger ; arid even then, with such 
difficulty, as to occasion great distress ; he feeds on leaves 
and the fruits of trees, which he gatheis by ascending; and 
when he is satiated, collects himself, and falls to the ground, 
without violence or injury ; he often becomes lean in travel¬ 
ling from one tree to another. 

Q. What other animals are peculiar to South America ? 

A. The Liam,i and Vicuna, which are the sheep of Peru, 
because they yield them wool ; but this is the only point in 
which they resemble sheep ; their bodies are much like a 
camel; and the Llamas often carry burdens of 60 or 70 
pounds. The Vicuna is not so large, and •fields the finest 
wool. 

Q,. What remarkable birds are peculiar to this country ? 

A. The Condor of South America :s of the vulture kind, a 
bird of prey, remarkably large, measuring from 10 to 16 feet 
from the extremities of its wings ; it is very destructive to the 
small animals, and when two or three are united, they are able 
to destroy men and cattle. The Ostrich is also a bird of S, 
America. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of South America ? 

A. Christopher Columbus, in the year 1498, discovered 
•StfOth America, neai the river Oronoco, on his way to Hispan- 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


199 


aola. About the year 1514, Spain commenced settlements 
upon this part of the continent. 

The Portuguese, under Vasco de Gama, discovered Brap.il 
in the year 1500 ; but they did not commence settlements 
until about the year 1549. 

In the year 1531, Pizarro, the Spanish adventurer, com¬ 
menced the conquest of Peru ; and in 1540, he-subjugated 
the whole empire. 

The Spaniards commenced the settlement of Buenos Ayres 
in the year 1535, and the settlement of Ohili about the year 
1540. 

The French commenced settlements in Guiana in 1635, 
and the English in 1641. 

From these points the settlements extended, until they have 
become numerous. 

Q. How did Spain govern these provinces? 

A. The Spanish government was uniform throughout her 
American colonies ; she established absolute governments un¬ 
der her Viceroys ; incorporated the Catholic religion witli 
her system, independent of the Pope ; the king of Spain was 
| at the head of both church and state, and held the sovereign 
control. Under this system, Spain monopolized all the com¬ 
merce of her colonies., and foreigners were.as much excluded 
from her American dominions as from China, until the early 
i part of the 18th century. 

At the close of the war of 1713, by the peace of Utrecht, 
Philip V. then king of Spain, granted to Great Britain the spe¬ 
cial privilege of supplying his American colonies with negroes : 
this opened a trade that disclosed that wealth which had been 
so long concealed. Great Britain established factories at 
Carthagena, Panama, Vera Cruz, Buenos Ayres, and other 
Spanish cities, which soon gave the English a knowledge of 
the country, that led to a commerce which Spain has never- 
been able to suppress, The French and Dutch both entered 
with zeal info the smuggling trade with the Spanish colonies. 


Qosstions. —When and by whom was South America discovered 
and first settled ? 

When and by whom was Brazil discovered and settled ? 

When and by whom was Peru conquered ? 

When and by whom were Buenos Ayres and Chili settled ? 

When and by whom was Guiana settled ? 

What was the general character of the Spanish government? 

When and by what means did Great Britain begin to share the-com¬ 
merce of Somth America ? 





m 


SOUTH AMERICA, 


Spain, sensible of the ruin of her American commerce.; 
sought to recover it by guarding her American coasts, which 
led to a war with England in 1739. The next year the Eng¬ 
lish took Porto Bello, and made a descent upon Carthagena, 
which failed ; but lord Anson took a rich Spanish galleon, that 
served to remunerate the expenses ofthe war ; this war clos¬ 
ed by the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, 1 743. The English slill 
retained the commerce of South America, and continued it in 
various forms, down to the time of the French revolution, 
when she enjoyed the commerce of South America more ful¬ 
ly, and continues it with the present free governments. 

Q. What is the present-situation of these provinces ? 

A. They all, except Brazil and Peru, commenced a revo* 
Jution, and beg in to throw off their foreign yoke about the 
year 1310, and have continued their exertions, until they have 
become free and independent states, with republican govern¬ 
ments. 

Peru commenced her revolution in 1820, and completed it 
in 1825. 

Brazil commenced her revolution in 1823, and her pros¬ 
pects are flattering. 

Whenever their governments become settled ; agriculture 
and the arts and sciences, united with their commerce, and 
the riches of the mines, will give a new lustre to South Amer- 
ica. 

Q. What revenue has Spain derived from her American colonies 
since their first discovery ? 

A. The total amount exceeds j£ ?,000,000,000 >terl ng 

What were the consequences that followed, down to the peace of Aix" 
la Chapelle ? 

What were the effects of the French revolution upon this commerce? , 
When did the several Spanish colonies commence their revolutions and 
what has been the result ? 

What amount of revenue has Spain derived from her American colo- - 
nies ? 


COLOMBIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of the Republic of Colombia. 
A. Colombia is situated upon the northern section of South 
\merica, and comprises the vice-royalty of New-Grenada, and 
the captain-generalsh:p of Caraccas, including Venezuela. 
4c. It is boundedN. by the Caribbean sea • E. by Guiana ’ 









JNEW-GRENADA. 2 Oi 

>S. by the river Amazon and Peru ; and W. by the Pacific 
ocean. Population in 1820, 2,600,000. 

Q . ' A hat is the face of the country ? 

A. This, with other geographical descriptions, can be best 
Understood under the heads of the former provinces. * 

HISTORY. 

Q.' What is the hictpry of Colombia * 

A. This country was discovered by Columbus in his third 
y oyage, in 1498, and called Terra Firmd. It was settled by 
i the Spaniards in lb 14 ; and continued under the government 
of Spain until the year 4 810, when the province of Venezue¬ 
la threw oif the Spanish yoke, declared its independence, and 
assumed the name of the republic of Venezuela. The prov¬ 
ince of Netv-Granada declared itself independent of Spaiu 
about the same time. In 1819, the two governments united 
in a general congress at the city of Rosario de Cucuta, which 
established their union, by the name o r the Republic of Co¬ 
lombia. v • 

This congress, after passing their declaration of independ 
ence, proceeded to divide the Republic into seven depart¬ 
ments, viz. Venezuela, Sulia, Boyacca, Candinamarca, Magda¬ 
lena, Cauca, and Oronoco. They also passed a law to estab¬ 
lish a uniform system of education throughout the depart¬ 
ments, and a college in each, with at least two professors. 

The constitution of Colombia resembles that of the United 
States ; but the president is chosen for seven years. 

Questions. r—Whcn and by whom was Colombia discovered and 
settled ? 

When did sho commence her revolution, and when declare her inde¬ 
pendence ? 

What provinces united with her, and at what congress did she assume 
her present name ? 

Ilow did that congress divide the republic ? 

What provision did they make to promote education 
What is the form of their constitution f 


NEW-GRENADA. 

Q. Wiiat are the situation and extent of New Grenada 
A. New Grenada is bounded on the N. by the isthmus oi 
Darien and the Caiibbe’an sea ; E. by Venezuela and Gui¬ 
ana ; S. by the river Amazon ; and VV. by the Pacific ocean. 
It is 1200 miles long and 700 broad. 







SOUTH AMERICA. 


• m 

Qy What is the olimate ? 

A. Mild and serene upon the table-lands among the moun 
rains, as in Mexico; but hot and sultry upon the plains, an^T 
near llie coast. 

O. How are the seasons divided ? 

A. Into rainy anti dry : the first continues from May to 
•November, and is rendered unhealthy by the inundating rains ; 
the latter continues through they ear. and is generally healthy. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A.. The Andes extend through the western parts ; and their 
northern branch extends across the province from west to 
east; these mountains exhibit all the variety of climate and 
scenery in nature ; from their lofty snow-capped summits to 
the burning heats of Los Llanos, or the vast extended plain 
below. 

Q. What are the situation and productions of Los Llanos ? 

A. Los Llanos is a vast desert of barren sand, of a dead 
level, near the sources of the Oronoco, which covers about 
•2000 square leagues ; and produces nothing but vipers and 
venomous reptiles. 

Q. What are the productions of New Grenada ? 

A. Corn, sugar, cotton, tobacco, and all the tropical fruits 
in perfection. 

Q. What arc the minerals ? 

Gold, silver, copper and lead. Plaiina, a metal that re¬ 
sembles gold, and next in value. Emeralds are found near 
Santa Fe, and the richest in the world. 

Q,. What fruits and trees are peculiar to this country ? 

A The Manzilio, which bears a poisonous apple. The 
Carthagena bean, which is an antidote to the bite of poisonous 
reptiles. Also, the Cane tree, which grows about fifty feet 
high, and contains water between eadh joint, that ebbs .arid 
Hows with the changes of the moon ; this water becomes tur¬ 
bid on the decrease, and clear upon the increase of the moon. 
Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Chagre, Darien, Conception and Magdalena. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The Andes, in the western section ; the principal sum¬ 
mits of which are Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Antisana, and Pich- 
inca. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Santa Fe de Bogota is the capital of New Grenada, situ¬ 
ated upon one of the head branches of the river Magdalena, 
on a range of table-land about 8,000 feet above the level of 
the sea, and enjoys a delightful climate ; it is large and beau¬ 
tiful, and contains four public squares ; the streets are wide. 


NEW GRENADA. 


I and well paved ; it has a magnificent cathedral, a college, with 
I a most splendid edifice, which belonged to the Jesuits ; also. 
3 other churches, 8 convents,-! nunneries, a hospital, a mint 
3 colleges for students, and a university, founded in 1621. 
having a large public library, which was established in 1772 \ 
also, a court of judicature, the president of which was gover 
^nor of all New-Grenada. Carthagena and Porto Bello, upon 
the shores of the Caribbean sea, have spacious and conven¬ 
ient harbors; Carthagena is now a rich and flourishing citv. 
Panama, upon the bay of Panama, on the Pacific ocean, is a 
; rich and flourishing city; the store-house for the mines of Pe¬ 
ru and Chili ; and has a valuable pearl fishery. Fopayan is 
an ancient city of some respectability, situated among the An¬ 
des, upon an elevation of about 5000 feet. Quito is an an¬ 
cient and much the largest city ; the capital of the province of 
Quito ; it stands between the ranges of the Andes, on an ele¬ 
vated table-land, about 10,000 feet above the level of the sea, 
and enjoys a delightful climate ; it is subject to earthquakes 
from its vicinity to the great volcano Pichinca. Guayaquil 
and Cuenca are rich citjes ; the former stands upon the gulf 
■of Guayaquil, and the latter among the mountains. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. It is not flourishing. 

Q. What is their commerce ? 

A. This was restricted very much to Spain before the re¬ 
volution ; but it is now free, and begins to flourish. 

Q, What are the arts and manufactures ? 

A. They can hardly be said to have any. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. It is very low ; the mass of the people are ignorant and 
superstitious. Schools, and those means of instruction so 
common in the United States, were not known before the 
revolution. 

Q. What are the curiosities ? 

A. The summit of Chimborazo, neaF the city of Quito, ris 
es nearly 22,000 feet above the level of the sea, whose snow¬ 
capped head presents a sublime view to the traveller, or the 
mariner upon the coast. Baron Humboldt ascended Chimbo¬ 
razo nearly to its summit ; a task worthy of the efforts of » 
man of his astonishing enterprise and perseverance. Also., 
Cotopaxi, still nearer to the city of Quito, whose volcanic 
summit shoots up in the form of a cone, far above the region 
of the clouds, and from whose snow-cap’d crater, volcanic 
flames have been known to rise more than 3000 feet, wHk 
explosions that have been beard more than 600 miles. 




204 


SOUTH AMERICA, 


An extraordinary cataract, near the city of Santa I* e de Bo¬ 
gota, which descends a perpendicular precipice about 600 
feet, and forms an unfathomable abyss below, then runs off m 
a rapid descent, until it unites with the river Magdalena. 

Q. What troublesome insect infests this country ? 

A. The Nigua ; it inserts itself into the flesh of men and 
animals, and deposits its eggs, which hatch immediately, and 
spread, and become very troublesome, unless soon removed. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of New Grenada ? • 

A. The Spaniards settled Carthagena in the year 1602; 
and in 1544 it had become a very considerable place of trade. 
In the year 1536, Sebastian Benalcazar, and Gonzalo Xi- 
menes de Quesada, conquered the interior country, and ad¬ 
ded it to Spain. • 

VENEZUELA, OR CARACCAS.' 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Venezuela ? 

A. Venezuela is bounded on the N. by the Caribbean 
sea ; E. by the Atlantic ocean- and Guiana ; S. by Guiana ; and 
W. by New Grenada* It is about 700 miles long and 500 
broad. • 

Q. What are the climate soil and productions ? 

A. Much the same as in New Grenada. The Quinquina, 
that yields the Peruvian bark, is found^ in Venezuela. 

Q. Which are the principal lakes ? • 

A. Valencia and Maracayho. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Oronoco is the only river of*note in Venezuela. 

Q. Which are the chief towns'? 

A. Caraccas is the capital ; it is situated upon an elevated 
plain, about 3000 feet above the level of the sea ; it was near¬ 
ly destroyed by an eaithquake in 1812; previous to that 
event it contained about 40,000 people. Laguira, the port of 
Caraccas, is a flourishing commercial town. Cumana con¬ 
tains a population of about 30,000. Maracayho, Barcelona 
and others, are flourishing Gities. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Venezuela ? 

A. Venezuela or Little Venice was discovered by Alonze 
4e Ojeda, in 1499. It was sold by Charles V. to a Compaq 


GUIANA. 


206 

of German merchants, who attempted to settle it, but failed-. 
The Spaniards resumed their settlement. Venezuela has 
suffered severely in her struggles for liberty, from the com¬ 
mencement of the revolution in 1810, to her union with New 
Grenada, in 1819. The total number that fell by the sword, 
famine, and earthquakes, within that period, has been estima¬ 
ted at 222,000 souls. (See South America and Colombia for 
further history of this province.) Mgu 


GUIANA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Guiana r 

A. Guiana is bounded on the N. by Venezuela ; E. by the 
Atlantic ocean ; S. by Amazonia ; and W. by New Grenada. 
It extends about 1100 miles upon the coast. 

Q. What province does it embrace ? 

A. Spanish Guiana on the north-west ; Portuguese Guiana 
on the south ; and English, Dutch, and French Guiana, upon 
the coast. 

Q. What is the population, of Guiana r 

A. It is abdut 260,000. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. Generally level, except such parts as are intersected 
by the northern branch of the Andes, which extends from 
the main body to the coast of Guiana. 

Q. What are the climate and productions ? 

A. The climate neat- the coast, which is the only part now 
settled, is hot and sultry, and varies with the wet and dry 
seasons. The productions are sugar, cotton, indigo, tobacco 
cocoa, coffee, and all the tropical fruits. 

Q. What trees are peculiar to these forests ? 

A. The red mangrove, guaiacurn. camphor tree, and silk 
cotton tree, which shoots up a shaft of 60 or 70 feet, anfi 
then expands its top 30 or 4 n feet higher. Also, the cabbage 
tree, that rises about 120 feet, free from branches, and pro¬ 
duces the cabbage on its summit. Ebony, fustic, and Spanish 
cedar, ore also found in this province. 

Q. What curious vegetable is found in this province? 

A. A plant called Troolies, whose leaves spread on the 
ground, and often grow to the size of 30 or 40 feet long, anci 
3 feet wide. They are used as thatch far their houses. 

Potent drugs of various kinds are also found here ; such 
quassia wood, ipecacuanha, balsam copaivi, &c- 

18 





206 


SOUTH AMERICA 


Q. What animals are found here ? ? 

A. Monkeys and apes, which abound in South America. 

Q. Which are the British settlements ? ■ . 

A. They lie upon the rivers Essequibo and Bernice, ann 
are called Demarara ; Stahroek is the capital ; New Amster¬ 
dam is a seaport, at the mouth ot the Berbicc. 

Q. Which s»ttlements belong to the Dutch ? 

A. Surinam : and Paramaribo is the capital, upon Surinam 
river ; a rioh and flourishing city, with a population ot about 
20 , 000 . 

Q. Which is French Guiana ? 

A. It lies south of Surinam, and has Cayenne for its capital, 
and is noted for its Cayenne pepper. The country is moun 
tainous and thinly settled. 

Q. Which is Portuguese Guiana ? • „ 

A. It lies south of French Guiana, upon the north sitie of 
the river Amazon, and is annexed to Brazil. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Guiana ? 

A. Giflana was first discovered in the year 1500, but no 
settlements were made until the french commenced the set¬ 
tlement of Cayenne, in 1635. In 1641, the English commen¬ 
ced the settlement of Surinam. The Dutch took Cayenne, 
in 1646 ; but the French re-took it in 1667. The same year 
the Dutch took Surinam ; the latter part of the same year the 
English took Cayenne and re-took Surinam ; but they re¬ 
stored them in 1674 The English took Surinam again, near 
the close of the 18th century ; but restored; it in- 1802. 
Demarara was finally ceded to England at the peace of 1814. 

Questions. —When was Guiana first discoverd ? 

When was then first settlement made ?---where by whom ? 

What settlement was made in 1641 ?—-by whom? 


BRAZIL. 

Q. What are the. situation and extent of Brazil ? 

A. Brazil is bounded on the N. by the river Amazon ; N, 
E. and S. E. by the Atlantic ocean ; S. and W. by the La Pla¬ 
ta or Buenos Ayres, and Amazonia. It is about 2500 miles 
long and 1200 broad, in the widest part. 

Q. How is Brazil divided, and what is its population ? 

A. It is divided into 25 provinces. Population 2,500,00$ 
Q What is the face «f the country ? 

A It is generally mountainous. 





BRAZIL. 


20? 


Q. - Which arc the principal mountains ? 

A. A chain extends along the coast, from Rio Grande or St. 
Pedro to cape St. Roque, called the Andes of Brazil. The 
interior is broken by numerous mountainous elevations, which 
are in some parts connected with branches of the western 
Andes. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The sod upon the table-lands is fertile. The produc 
tions are corn, sugar, cotton, tobacco, indigo, Brazil-wood, 
with all the tropical fruits. 

Q. Which are the minerals of Brazil ? 

A. Gold and diamond mines are the most valuable ; the 
diamonds are highly variegated. 

Q. What animal is peculiar to this country ? 

A. The T»rpizassou, which resembles an ass and a bull, 
but without horns : his flesh is well flavoured, and makes 
good beef. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The tributary streams ol the Amazon and La Plata, and 
the rivers Francisco and Toeantines, are the principal. 

Q. Which are the chief towns?? 

A. Rio Janeiro or St. Sebastian is the capital: a rich com¬ 
mercial city, with one of the best harbours in the world ; and 
is the great mart of the gold and diamond region. St. Salva 
dor is the next in size and commercial importance, to St. Se¬ 
bastian ; it is situated upon an acclivity like Quito, and the 
sudden elevation of the streets prevents the use of carriages. 
Pernambuco is aiich commercial city, with a port so difficult 
of access as to admit but one vessel at a lime ; but safe and 
commodious* when they have entered. Porto Seguro is a 
port of some note. St. Paul is a town of some distinction 
anlong the mountains. Villa Rica is a rich town in the gold 
mine region. Tejuco is fhe capital of the diamond region. 
Cuyaba, on a river of the same name; is another rich town in 
the interior gold mine region. Villa Boa, also in the interi¬ 
or, is a town of some note. 

Q. What is the state of commerce ? 

A. It languished under the restrictions of the royal gov 
ernment ; but new motives actuate the Brazilians, and com¬ 
merce begins to expand and flourish. 

Q. What are the principal exports ? 

A. Gold, silver, diamonds.,. &c. ; also more than 20,00U 
hides annually, taken from black cattle that run wild in the 
woods. Also, mules, &c. 

Q. What is the state of the roads ? 

A. They are bad in the extreme, and call upon a nation of 
freemen to ppithem in repair. 


208 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


Q. What is the state of agriculture and manufactures ? 

A. Their agriculture is in a low depressed state ; and they 
have no manufactures. They depend upon their slaves tc* 
perform the labour. 

Q. What is the general character of the Brazilians ? 

A. They are an ignorant, superstitious, and indolent people 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Brazil <* 

A. Brazil was discovered by the Portuguese under Vasco 
tie Gama, in the year 1 500 ; but no settlements were made 
until about the year 1549. . 

The Dutch invaded Brazil and subdued the northern pro¬ 
vinces in the year 1613 ; but were bought off by the Portu¬ 
guese with eight tons of gold and silver, in 1661. 

In the year 1808, the royal family of Portugal fled from the 
invasion of the French, and took up their residence in Brazil, 
where’ they continued until the year 1821, when they re¬ 
turned to Lisbon. 

Brazil threw off the yoke of Portugal, in 1823, and is now 
endeavouring;-to establish a free government. 

Questions. - Byvwhom was Brazil first discovered ?—when ? 

About what time were settlements commenced? 

In what year were the northern provinces subdued ?—by whom ?— 
did they retain the possession.of them ? 

What took place mb808 ?—in' 1-823 ? 


' 

BUENOS AYRES. ’* 

uj. What are the situation and extent of Buenos Ayres . • 

A. Buenos Ayres is bounded on the N. by Bolivar and 
Amazonia ; E. by Brazil and the Atlantic ocean ; S. by Pata¬ 
gonia ; and W. by Bolivar and Chili. Jt is about 1300 miles 
long and 1000 broad. - ^x 

Q. How is it divided and what is its population ? 

A. It was divided formerly into eight provinces, o* inten- 
lances, which are now the United Republic of Buenos Avrcs. 
Population, estimated at 2,000,000. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The northern parts extend into the mountainous, and 
mining regions; but the southern are generally included 
within the basin of the Paraguay, and are interspersed with 
extensive plains, called pampas ; the same as in North Amer¬ 
ica are called prairies.and savannas. These pampas extend 



BUENOS AYRES. 


several hundred miles without a tree, and are covered with a 
tall moose-grass. Numerous herds of wild cattle and horses 
feed on these plains. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A, The Andes on the west ; and the southern chain that 
extends across into Brazil, intersects the northern parts. 

Q. What is the climato ? 

A. Generally mild and salubrious in summer; but rainy 
and often tempestuous in winter. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil varies according to the face of the country. 
The mountainous districts are barren ; but the vale of the 
Paraguay is extremely rich and fertile. The productions va¬ 
ry with the difference of latitude, and include all the variety 
of the temperate and torrid zones. Matte or Paraguay tea. 
is a plant of some note, and is used very generally in that coun¬ 
try. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Paraguay .or La Plata, with its numerous tributary 
streams. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Buenos Ayres, the capital, is situated about 200 miles 
up the river La Plata, and contains about 6000 houses, most¬ 
ly built of brick ; its public buildings are all of white stone, 
which give it an elegant .appearance ; it enjoys an extensive 
commerce. Montivideo stands near the mouth of the river ; 
has a good and safe harbour,. and-is a rich, flourishing city, 
with a population of about $0 or 40,000. Assumption is a 
place of much trade, about 1000 miles up the Paraguay. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. Under the old government it was greatly depressed ; 
but it now begins to improve under their free government. 

Q. What is their commerce ? 

A. The restrictions of their former government depressed 
their commerce : „the mines an 1 the pampas furnished all 
their articles of export. Gold and silver, hides and beef, are 
the principal exports. 

Q. What communication is there aeioss the Andes ? 

A. There is a regular intercourse with Peru and Chili, by 
stages, or covered carts, drawn by oxen, which are guarded, 
to protect them against the savages. 

Q, What is the state of literature ? 

A. Their former government neglected the education of 
the lower classes of the people ; but their present prospect* 
are more favourable, 

18* ' • - 




2.10 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


HISTORY. 

What is the history of Buenos Ayres ? 

A. The Spaniards discovered the river La Plata, m thej 
year 1516, and in 1535, they commenced the settlement ot 
Buenos Ayres. In 1538, Pizarro, from Peru, penetrated in¬ 
to the western section of what now comprises the eontedera-. 
cf of Buenos Ayres, and conquered the province of Charcas. 

In 1586, the Jesuits jpommenced their missionary labours 
among the Indians. 

From these several dates the kings of Spain assumed the 
government, by their Viceroys, who exercised every possi¬ 
ble degree of oppression upon the natives, as they explored j 
the country, until they reduced them extensively to a state of 
subjection, and compelled them to labour in the mines. 

From that time, this section of South America became the 
theatre of Spanish avarice, cruelty and oppression, in common 
with the other provinces under their dominion, until they 
threw off the Spanish yoke,, and asserted their independence, 
iff 1810. 

Since that time, Buenos Ayres has been governed by a t 
general Congress ; but such was the revolutionary state of 
the government, that Congress did not publish their declara¬ 
tion of Independence, until July, 1815. 

The government is not vet fully S.ettled-, but gains strength 
and respectability daily, and so far as .regards their indepen- j 
dence of Spain, is permanently fixed. Their constitution, if 
decided upon, has not yet appeared ; but it is expected that ' 
they will follow the plan of the United’Statesi 

Questions —When did the Spaniards discover and settle Buenos' 
Ayres ? 

When and by whom was the western section conquered ? 

When did the Jesuits coqimence tlieir missionary labours ? 

What form of government did Spain introduce, and what wertv the- 
consequences ? 

When did Buenos Ayres commence her revolution ? 

When did she assert her independence, and what,are her present pros 
pects* - 

■sir» v 

CHILI. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Chili ? 

A. Chili is hounded on the N. by the desert of Ataca 
«na, and Bolivar ; E. by the United Provinces of Bue- 
«U>s Ayres ; S. by Patagonia : and W. by the Pacific 












CHILI. 


211 


ocean. It is about 1300 miles long and 150 broad. Popula¬ 
tion 1,200,000. . 1 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The western section, or maritime country, is intersect¬ 
ed by three ranges of the Andes, yvhich render it broken t 
but the eastern, or interior section, is an elevated range of ta¬ 
ble-land. & 

Q. What is the'climate ? 

A. 1 he climate is remarkably mild and salubrious : itsel- 
d°m rains in the northern section, and.thunder is rarely heard 
in Chili. The country is refreshed by copious dews, as in 
Egypt- There are many volcanoes among the Andes, which 
produce frequent earthquakes 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 1 ' 

A. The soil is remark -bly fertile, especially upon the ta¬ 
ble lands. , It produces the fruits of all the climates abundant¬ 
ly. Apples, pears, peaches and plums, abound in the south¬ 
ern parts ; oranges blossonvand bear throughout the year ; 
and they make rich wines with their grapes. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The principal rivers of Chili, areCauten, Maule, Val¬ 
divia and Biobio, with numerous others, which rise in the 
Andes, and find a short course to the ocean. Many of the 
rivers are navigable Tor the largest ships more, than 100 
miles. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. St. Jago is the -capital of Ch'di, a rich commercial city., 
situated in the elevated region near the mines ; and by the 
assistance oCValparaizo, its port, is the chief commercial ci¬ 
ty of Chili : population 40,000. Conception is also a rich 
flourishing city, with a population of about 20,000. Valdivia 
was one of the first cities bftilt in Chili ; it has an excellent 
harbour, ana. lies five miles back from the sea : population 
T3,000. There are several other valuable ports, in Chili. 

Q. Which are the minerals/ 

A. Gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, iron and quick-silver, 
abound in the mines of Chili, besides vast quantities of gold 
washed down f rom the mountains ; all which produce an an¬ 
nual amount of more than 800 ,000 dollars. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. It is flourishing and respectable. Chili supplies PejrQ 
with wheat. 

Q. What is the state of manufactures 

A. They are in their infancy. 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


212 

Q. Wliat is the state of literature ? 

A* Before the revolution it was very low ; it is now rising. 
Printing presses are introduced. 

. HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Chili ? 

A. In the year 1535, when the Spaniards had nearly com¬ 
pleted the conquest of Peru, they attempted to penetrate in¬ 
to Chili, under Diego Almagro ; but they were met by a 
brave and warlike people, who compelled them to retire with 
great loss, and abandon the enterprise. 

In the year 1540, the. Spanish General Pedro Valdivia, 
penetrated into Chili with a strong force, and gained such 
possession as enabled him to found the city of St. Jago, the 
capital, upon the river Maupocho. Not content, he next ad¬ 
vanced into the country of the Araueanians, and founded the 
cities of Villa Rica, Valdivia, and Angol : hut in the year 
1553, the natives rose upon their conquerors, drove them 
from their country, and killed their general. From that time 
the Spaniards continued to invade the Araueanians, but with¬ 
out success, down to the year 177.3, when they wete wholly 
expelled from their country,-and that tribe remains free to 
this time.. 

In 1587, the English invaded Chili with a naval armament ; 
but were driven offby the natives, with considerable loss. 

In 163S, the Dutch made a similar attempt, arid met with 
the same disasters. 

in 1810, the Chilians threw off the Spanish, yoke and com¬ 
menced Iheir revolution. 

In 1814, a royal army from Peru entered Chili, defeated 
the patriots and restored tire Spanish government the patri¬ 
ots Red into the provinces of Buenos Ayres, where they 
were protected. 

In 1817, the patriots, being joined by a strong force, (the 
patriots of Buenos Ayres,) re-entered Chili, and restored the 
liberties of their country by a decisive battle, April 6th, 
1818. 


Questions.— When did the Spaniards first invade Chili? 

When and by whom was St. Jago # built? 

What farther conquests did Valdivia attempt, and what was the re¬ 
sult ? 

When did the English invade Chili, and what was the result ? 

When did the Dutch make the same attempt, and with what success / 
When did Chili assert her independence of Spain, and what has beer 
the result ? 







BOLIVAR. 


213 


Chili then took her rank among the free and independent 
states of South America. 


BOLIVAR. 

• »v 

What are the situation and extent of Bolivar ■ 

A. It is bounded on the N. by Peru ; E. by Amazonia, and 
the river Paraguay ; g. by the United Provinces ’of'Buenos 
Ayres and Chili ; and W. by the Pacific ocean about 700 
miles long, and the same broad, in the'eastern section ; but 
upon the Paci^c, it does not exceed three degrees in width. 

[ Population 1,700,000* 

Q. What are the civil divisions ?■' 

A. It is divided into the following departments, vi'z. Potosi, 
CharChs or La Plata, Cochabamba, La Paz, Santa Cruz or 
| Puno, Moxos, and Chiquitos. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The Andesdivide into two ranges, as in Peru, but the 
I region in the department of -Potosi, is the most mountainous 
I and irregular, as wallas most elevated. In this region, the 
I two great rivers Amazon. and La Plata take their rise, at a 
I distance of about 70 miles of each other. 

Q. What is the climate of Bolivar ? 

A. Upon the coast it is hot and dry, as in Peru ; but in the 
I elevated regions, it is temperate, and in the higher regions, 

I cold. 

Q. How are.tire seasons divided ? 

A. Into summer and winter, dr rainy nnd'drv seasons, in 
the upper country ; hut the regions of temperature admit ot 
very little variation. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil upon the boast, as in Peru, is barren ; but in 
the upper country it is fertile, and yields all the productions 
of the temperate and torrid zones.- 

Q. Which afe the mines of Bolivar ? 

A. Gold, silver, quicksijver, &c. ; but the most valuable 
mineral region is situated in the department of Potosi. This 
mountain rises in the form of a sugar loaf, and abounds with 
silver. It is pierced with more than three hundred shafts, 
through which the precious metal is drawn from its bowels. 
It was discovered by accident in the year 1545, soon after the 
conquest of Peru. An Indian, in climbing the mountain in 
pursuit of game, pulled up a shrub, which disclosed a mass of 
'■ilvcr beneath its roots. 






m 


SOUTH AMERICA 


Q. Whicli are the principal rivers ? 

A. The head branches of the rivers Amazon and Paraguay, 
with the Pilcomayo, &c. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Potosi the capital ; Charcas, Cochabamba, La Paz, 
Santa Cruz, &c. . 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. Much the same as in Peru. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. As low as their. agriculture. * 

Q. What is the state of dommeree and manufactures ? 

A. Their mineral productions are their principal exports , 
but they carry on an inland trade with Peru, Chili, and Bu¬ 
enos Ayres. This is conducted only by ox-teams, on account 
ot the badness of their roads. 

HISTORY. 

0,. What is the history of .Bolivar ? 

A. The government of Peru embraced the seven intendan¬ 
cies, now departments of BolivaT, until the year 1778, and 
were called the district of the audiencia of Charcas, which 
city was the capital. At that time the district was annexed to 
the viceroyalty of Buenos Ayres, or Rio de la Plata. In the 
civil war under the insurrection of Tuptfc Amaru, in 1780, 
this district was greatly distressed, its cities were sacked, their 
inhabitants butchered, and about-one third of the whole pop,- 
ulatiori destroyed. 

The late r^vol.utitm that severed this country from the gov¬ 
ernment of Spain, commenced in the city of La Paz, in 1789, 
and soon extended throughout the whole district. A severe 
and distressing civil war ensued ; the country bled at every 
pore, until the famous battle of"Ayacucho, in April, 1825, 
which was a triumph to the patriots, like the capture of York- 
town in the North American revolution. In this memorable 
action, the total loss of the royalists amounted to more than 
18,500 men, and in August following, Bolivar, or then Upper 
Peru, published their declaration of independence, and de¬ 
creed that Upper Peru should hereafter be called, the Re- 
- 

Questions. — When was the state of Bolivar divided from Peru, 
what was it then called, and to what state was it annexed ? 

When did a civil, war desolate this country, and under what chief? 
When and where did the revolution commence that severed the coun¬ 
try from the government of Spain, and what memorable battle 
decided the war? 

When did the state of Bolivar assume its name and publish their dec¬ 
laration of independence ? 





PERU. 


2 Jo 

public of Bolivar, in honor of the liberator ol Colombia awl 
| Peru, whom they acknowledged the Washington of the rra- 
i lion. Bolivar soon appeared in their capital, and issued a 
proclamation, which sanctioned their doings, and proposed to 
change the name of the republic to that of Bolivia, and re 
commended that a congress be callethon the 25th of May. 
1826, to frame a constitution. 

From whence is the name derived, and how was it approved by the 
Liberator? * - 


PERU. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Peru / 

A. Peru is bounded on the N by New Granada or Colum¬ 
bia ; E. by Amazonia ; S. by Bolivar, that divides it from 
Chili ; and W. by the Pacific ocean. It is about 700 miles 
long and 600 broad. Population 1,207,000. 

Q. What are the civil divisions ? 

A. Peru was formerly divided into 7 governments, viz. 
Lima, Truxillo, Parma, Guanca Velica, Guamanga, Arequi- 
pa, and Cuzco. The present divisions are not known. 

Q. What is the face of-the country 

A. The Andes divide, into two ranges, as they extend 
through Peru, and the western lange divides the region of the 
coast from the region of the mountains.* The face of the 
!country upon the coast is an extensive, sandy plain, where it 
'seldom rains, as in Chili ; but the earth Js fertilized by fogs, 
and heavy dews. The face of the country between the 
mountains, is one vast extent of table-land, as in Mexico, ele¬ 
vated about 10,000 feet above the sea. 

Q. What is the climate of Peru ? 

A e Upon the coast it is hot ; but in the elevated regipns, it 
is of a delightful temperature, atqboot 65 ofFarenheit, with 
little variation through the year. 

Q. How are the seasons divided ? 

A. Into summer and winter ; or wet and dry ; but the de- 
I grees of change are very slight, and admit of very little vari¬ 
ation. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil is various ; but in general it is fertile. The 
I productions are much the stfme as those of Chili. The tro¬ 
pical fruits and various kinds of grain, abound upon the bor¬ 
ders of the rivers, on the vale of the coast; and the various 
i kinds of grain, and fruits of the temperate zones, abound In 






216 


SOUTH AMERICA 


the table regions of the mountains. The tree that yields the 
Jesuit’s, or Peruvian bark, is found here. 

Q. Which are the mines of Peru ? 

A. Goid, silver, quick silver, &c. ; but the most valuable 
mineral section of Peru, is comprised within the new state ol 
Bolivar. 

Q. Which are the,principal rivers ? 

A. The. Ucayle, and Tunguragua, sources of the Amazon, 
are the principal rivers of,Peru. The rivers that tall into 
the Pacific are small. ' • • 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? ■ 

A. Lirhrt is the capital ; and before the revolution, was j 
the capital of ail Spanish'S, America ; it stands upon the riv¬ 
er Rirnac, six miles from the ocean, upon an’elevation jof 600 
feet above the level of the sea, surrounded by ah extensive 
plain ; and is strongly fortified with walls ahd ramparts ; the 
city is regularly built; the streets are paved, and the church¬ 
es, as in Mexico, are profusely adorned \fith gold and pre¬ 
cious stones ; a, university has been long established here, 
and the people have some taste for the sciences. Lima has 
a population of 70,000. Callao is the port of Lima, distant 
five miles ; it has the best harbour upon the western coast, 
and enjoys an extensive commerce. Earthquakes are com¬ 
mon at Lima, which have rendered it necessary to build all 
their houses of one story'. * 

Q. What display of wealth has particularly appeared at Lima ? 

A. The Viceroy? in J68& made his public entrance into 
Lima, through streets paved with ingots of silver. 

Q. Which are the other large towns ? 

A. Cuzco, the ancient cgpit d, is situated in the elevated 
regions, and possesses much of its ancient style and splen¬ 
dour. Arequipa and Guarnanga are handsome cities ; the 
latter has an university. Guanca Velica is situated among the 
mountains, about 16,000 feet above the level of the sea; j 
here are found rich mines of quick-silver, and gold and sil- ! 
ver. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? • 

A. It is almost wholly neglected ; and Peru depends .verv 
much upon Chili, and other foreign markets for her bread. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. About as low as their agriculture. 

Q. What is the state of commerce and manufactures ? 

A. Their mineral exports are the basis of their commerce ; 
and they carry on an inland trade over the mountains with 
Buenos Ayres and Chili ; but their roads are almost impas~ 





PERU 


217 


habip. That universal system of ignorance and depression, 
which has prevailed throughout South America, still prevails 
hn Peru. It is hoped and expected, that their present free 
I government will introduce a new system, that will radically 
iboiish the old, by encouraging learning, agriculture and tbp 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Peru ? 

A. The Spanish adventurer, Pizarro, commenced the con¬ 
quest of Peru, in the year 1532, seized the Inca or Emperor, 

I 'tud put him to death. In the year 1533, he took possession 
| -<f Cuzco, the capital ; the same year the Spaniards, under the 
I adventurer Bcnalcazar, took: Quito.. The next year Pizarro 
founded the city of Limn, January 18th, 1534. The next 
year (1635} the Spanish adventurer Alniagro, marched into 
Chili; but met with so warm a reception from the Indians, 
that he returned into Peru and attempted to seize on that 
ountry, and wrest it from Pizarro. From this time Peru be- 
ame the theatre of intrigue, murder and civil war, until the 
vear 1539, when the government, (after a few more fruitless 
.struggles of party) became settled and quiet under the admin- 
stration of Gasca, a president general sent out by the king of 
I Spain, in thevear 154:7. Perubecame the most valuable pos¬ 
session Spain held in South America. Lima became not only 
:he S'panish capital of Peru, but the residence of the Viceroy 
! of Spanish South America. 

Peru commenced her present revolution in 1820 ; in 1824, 
-he wholly threw off the Spanish yoke,, and gained her inde¬ 
pendence, and her prospects are .flattering. 

Q. What is the history of Peru before the Spanish conquest ? 

A. It was, in common with the whole of South America, 
inhabited by numerous Indian tribes* who were destitute of 
hearts and civilization, likethe other tribes of the continent, 
or as the mass of them are at this time. 

About four centuries, (according to Indian tradition) before 
fhe Spanish conquest, a man and woman appeared upon the 
banks of lake Titicaca, decently clad, and of majestic appear¬ 
ance, who declared themselves to be children of the sun, sent 

Questions.— When and by whom was Peril conquered ? 

When and by whom was the city of Lima founded 
When, and under what chiefs did Peru became a theatre of civil war * 
When and by whom was it closed, and wlmt was the result 9 
When did Prru throw off the Spanish vote ? 

19 




218 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


by their beneficent parent, to instruct and reclaim them* 
The savages assembled around them, and listened to their in¬ 
struction.. When they had gained the confidence of the In¬ 
dians then assembled, they led them to Cuzco, and there con¬ 
tinued their instruction, until the Indians began to reverence 
them as gods, and submit to their authority. 

Manco Capac, and Mamma Ocollo, those children of the 
sun, commenced such asj^stem of instruction as was best cal¬ 
culated to inspire them with confidence,;and meliorate their 
condition. Manrco Capac taught them agriculture, and such 
other arts ns were more immediately useful ; Mamma Ocollo 
taught the women to spin, tfr.eave and knit^ Roth improve¬ 
ments united, rendered their food and clothing more perma¬ 
nent ancl agreeable!. 

By these means, the Indians were soon won over to their 
counsel and authority, which enabled Manco Capac to intro¬ 
duce a. system of usages, or customs, that grew up into estab¬ 
lished laws, and thus he h\id the fomrclatio-n 6f the Peruvian 
empire. 

The Indians conferred the same honors upon thexlescend - 
ants of Manco Capac and Mamma Ocollo, which they had be¬ 
stowed upon them, and continued the, government in their 
line, until the Spanish invasion. Thus the government of 
the Incas or Lords of Peru commenced, und continued, until 
Pizarro subverted it, in the year 1533. At that time they 
had made such progress in agriculture and the useful arts, as 
a people without the use of iron, could readily acquire. 

The Incas, in order to perpetuate a pure race of their 
line, compelled their children to inter-mnrry, that the divine 
authority of the children of the sun might not be impaired. 

At the time Pizarro commenced the conquest of Peru, a 
rival interest in the Incan family^had involved the empire in 
a civil war, which enabled Pizarro to seize on the govern¬ 
ment. 

Q. What was the genius of the government introduced by the Incas 

A. It was absolute ; yet patriarchal. The Inca was both 
the king and the father of his people. He supported his gov¬ 
ernment by establishing one common interest ; and to effect; 
this he divided all lands capable of cultivation into three parts. 
The first was consecrated to the sun, and the fruits went to 
the support of religion, building temples, &c. The second 
was set apart for the support of the government, and belong¬ 
ed to the Incas. The third and largest part was devoted to 
fhe people, for their support ; it was divided into portions. 


INDEPENDENT AMERICA. 


219 


urn* the) tilled the ground, and shared the profits in common, 
lor the best good of the whole. These distributions were 
made among the people annually. Thus Peru became one 
common family. 

Although the Peruvians held all things,in common, they 
maintained regular grades of distinction in society. The com¬ 
mon people, called Yctnaconas y were like the Tamemes in 
Mexico, devoted to carry burdens ; next to them were the 
people termed /rte, but without titles. The next were the 
Origones , a class distinguished by thei,r ornaments ; and these 
were t he-', candidates ft)*; offices of power and fi-ust. 

At the head of these orders stood the, Incan family, or the 
children of the sun. Thus balanced, the government pre¬ 
served good order, and the people excelled the Mexicans in 
agriculture and the arts 

What is the history of Peru before thq Spanish ccmqucst? 

What was the genius of the government introduced by the Incas : 

INDEPENDENT AMERICA. 

Q. What is to be understood by Jndejiendent America ? 

A. Independent America includes those parts that are pos 
sessed by native tribes, that never have been subdued. 

Q. What parts of South America may be comprised under this 
1 .term ? 

I A. A very considerable part of the basin of the Oronoco ; 
the whole basin ofdhe Amazon ; a very considerable part of 
the basin of the Paraguay, and of the interior of Brazil ; and 
the whole section of Patagonia. 

Q. What portion of the whole of South America may be included 
under Independent America ? 

A. About three fifths. 

Q. What are their modes of living and population? 

A. The mild climate and fertile soil in the basins of these 
great rivers, afforded the natives an easy, and plentiful subsis 
fence, that naturally rendered them numerous. The Span¬ 
iards have shewn no disposition to extend their settlements 
beyond the mineral regions, which lie generally not very re 
inote from the coasts, and of course the natives hare lived un 
disturbed in the interior. 

Q. Which are the principal tribes of Independent America ? 

A. The Caribbs and Arowauks, Atomacks and Guaropes. 
in the basin of the Oronoco. 

Th.e basin of the Amazon has not yet been sufficiently ex 











SOUTH AMERICA. 


220 

plored to -learn much of the names or character of the ha 
tiyes, any further than to know, that they are very fierce and 
warlike. 

Among the independent tribes of the Paraguay are the Abi 
pones ; a fierce and warlike nation, that are often troublesome 
to the whites. The Araucanians are the most civilized of 
any of the native tribes : they dwell in the interior of Chili 
and send embassadors to that government, who are treated 
with respect. This is considered as the most warlike tribe 
in South America. 

There are two confederacies in Patagonia, that are compos 
ed of several tribes ; but thej^ all possess'one character ; 
rank among the most barbarous tribes, and were formerly re¬ 
ported to be giants 6 1-2 or 7 feet high ; but this is now con 
sidered as fabulous. In the northern- parts they are good 
horsemen, and often rob the Spanish caravans as they cross 
the mountains, to andfrom Chili. 

The Indians in the eastern section of the basin of the Pur* 
aguay, were early instructed in the principles of Christianity 
by the Jesuits., and are considered as being the most civilized 
part of native America. 

The situation of Independent America at large, has render 
ed it impossible to acquire any degree of knowledge of their 
population, but they are generally considered as being men; 
numerous than the North American Indians. 

Seutfi S.nutltan Sslrs. 

Q. Whicii are the South American. Isles ? 

A. The South American islands, are Terra del Euegu 
Falkland Isles, Trinidad, Chiloe, Juan Fernandez, the Gal la- 
pagos Isles, South Georgia, Sandwich Land, and the South 
Shetland Isles. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Terra del Fuego ? 

A Terra del Fuego is separated from the continent, by thf 
strait of Magellan, andcont tin? ‘he i, :>uthern point, called Cape 
Horn. It is a cold, inhospitable, rocky, and barren waste, 
inhabited by a few miserable Indians, who subsist principally 
upon fish. It is the seat of a volcano, from which it derives 
its name ; the land ofjire.. 

Q. What arc the situation and character of the Falkland Isles ? 

A. The Falkland Islands lie off the eastern coast of Patago¬ 
nia, and belong to Spain. Their character strongly resembles 


EUROPE 


221 


thal oi Terra del Fuego. The Spaniards send their convicts 
there from their American settlements. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Trinidad ? 

A. Trinidad Island ties off the coast ofGuiana ; is noted for 
its,coffee, and produces a fossil oil, that is found to he a great 
preservative for the bottoms of ships against worms. It was 
ceded by Spain to Great Britain, at the peace of 1813, which 
closed the French revolution. 

Q. What are the s-ituation and character cf Juan Fernandez ? 

A. Juan Fernandez consists of two small islands oft' the 
coast of Chili ; they abound with wild goats, and are often Vis 
ited for refreshment by the south-sea ships. They are famous 
as the residence of Alexander Selkirk, the hero of the ro 
mance, called Robinsdri Crusoe. 

Q. What are-the situation and character of Chiloe ? 

A. Chiloe is a large island on the western coast of Chili 
that belongs to Chili. The Indians that inhabit it are remark 
ably industrious. It produces all necessary provisions and 
refreshments* except wine ; much ambergris is found in Chi 
loe. In the Archipelago of Chiloe, are 47 small islands ; 32 
onty are inhabited. 

Q. What are the situation arid chaiacler of the Gallapagos Isles ? 

A. The Gallapagos Islands are a cluster of uninhabited 
■ sics oft' fhe coast of New-Grenada ; they abound with tur¬ 
tle. The south-sea ships often touch at these isles for re 
freshment. 

Q. What are the situation of South Georgia, Sandwich Land, arid 

South Shetland Isles? 

A. They lie remote from the coast; are clusters of barren 
rocks, covered with perpetukl snow the abode of seals, and 
sea fowls. The south-sea ships visit them occasionally to 

catch seals: . ‘ * • 


EUROPE 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Europe ? 

A. Europe lies on the western part of the great eastern con 
linent. It is bounded on the N. by the Northern ocean ; on 
the E. by the Ural mountains, the rivers YVolga and D<}n,und 
a line extending through the centre of the sea of Azof,JBlack 
sea, sea of Marmora, the Dardanelles, and the Archipelago : 
on the S. by the Mediterranean sea, the straits of Gibraltar 




and the Atlantic ocean; and on the W. by the Atlantic ocean. 
It is about 3,000 miles long, and 2,5C0 bread, and contains 
about 4,C00,CKJ0 square miles. 

Q. Which are the statistical divisions of Europe ? 

A. Europe includes the following countries : : —Lapland. 
Norway, Sweden,and Russia, in the north; Great Britain. 
France, Netherlands, Denmark, Prussia, Poland, Germany, 
Switzerland, and Austria, with Hungary, in the middle ; Por¬ 
tugal, Spain, Italy, and Turkey, in tile south"—Europe con¬ 
tains three sovereignties, styled empire's, Russia, Austria ami 
Turkey fourteen kingdoms, Great Britain, France, Prussia. 
Spain, Netherlands, Naples, Sardinia, Portugal, Bavaria, 
Sweden, Denmark, Wurleniberg, Hanover, and Saxony: 
three republics, Switzerland,'. loidandslands, and St. Marino : 
and a number of smaller states, styled gjrand duches, duches. 
principalities, kc. 

Q. What is the population of Europe ? 

A. Europe contains about 19O;S0O,G(3O. 

Q. What is the' climate gf Europe ? 

A. Europe partakes of all the varieties- ef the ffemperate 
and frigid zones. 

Q. What is the face of the country.,? 

A. Europe cannot boast oJThose bold and extensive ranges 
of mountains ; those majestic rivers, nor those extensively 
rich and fertile basins, which characterize the face of the vves- 
* tern continent ; nor such vast lakes, pampas, savannas, or 
prairies; but it rs indented w.ith numerous, seas, gulfs and 
hays, that are highly calculated to promote their internal 
commerce. The glaciers that are perpetual upon the Alps 
of Switzerland and Savoy, surpass every thing of the kind to 
be found on the western continent. TheYace of the southern 
section of Europe may be called rather mountainous than un¬ 
dulating ; the northern section, particularly in Russia, is more 
undulating than mountainous. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The Alps, Pyrenees, Appenines, Carpathian, Ural and 
Dorfrafield mountains. 

Q. What are the situation of the AJps and their brandies ? 

A. The Alps are the most central in Switzerland, where 
they divide Kaly from Germany. A southern branch extends 
down to Genoa, and divides Italy from France ; this branch is 
connected with the Pyrenees, which divide France from 
Spain. Near Genoa, the southern branch divides and runs 

ast to the head of the Appenines, which extend south through 
:hc centre of Italy. 


EUROPE. 


C>0;>' 

What other chains are connected with the trunk of the Alps ? 

A. An eastern chain passes through Austrian Tyrol, down 
into Turkey in Europe, and terminates near the head of the 
Black sea, and includes mount Hicmus. A northern branch 
passes through Bavaria, and unites with the Erzgeberg 
mounts, which divide-Saxony from Bohemia ; the same north¬ 
ern range passes into Poland and Russia, under the name o! 
the Valdai Hills : .thence they extend northeast until they 
reach the Ural chain, that divides Europe from Asia on the 
north-east.- The Dorfndield mounts divide Norway from 
Sweden. These sew end ranges of mountain's give rise to all 
the principaErivcps in Europe 

Q. Which arc ilieprincipalelevattonsrupon these mountains.? 

A. IVlout Blane, in Savoy, is nearly 16,000 feel, and is visi 
hie about 150 miles it is-the highest elevation in Europe. 
The glaciers of Mont Blanc surpass every thing of the kind 
upon the globe., ■ 

Q. What arc tire- other elevations upon these ranges ? - , 

A. They vary from 4 to 12,000 feet. The range thatsep 
arates France irorn Germany, has an elevation ol t or 5,000 
feet, and the highest elevation upon the Pyrenees exceeds 
11,000 feet. But neither of these ranges abound in mineral 
treasuries? 

The great Carpathian chain divides Austria from Austrian 
Poland and Ktissirr, and extends in a semi-circular form down 
into the province of Wallaehia, and is about 500 miles in ex¬ 
tent. 

Q. What is the highest elevation of this range ? 

A. About 9,000 feet. Many of the summits of these moun¬ 
tains are covered with perennial snows ; .and they abound in 
mineral treasures. 

Q. Wh ich are the mountains in the. south of Europe of less masaii - 
tude/ /» 

A. They will be considered-under the different kingdoms. 

Q. Which arc the great chains of the north ? 

A. The DorlValield range, th.it divides Norway from Swe¬ 
den, rises near the Skager Rack, and extends nearly to the 
North Cape. A branch of this range winds off from the 
northern parts, down through Lapland ami Finland, nearly to 
lake Ladoga, underthe name of Olonets mounts. This whole 
range is clothed with inexhaustible forests oi hr, and abounds 
with minerals ; .south of Petersburgh it is connected with the 
northern Alpine range, which terminates in the Valdai Hills. 

Q. What is the length and height of the Dorfrofield range .? 

A. About 10 or 1200 miles in its northern direction.; bn’ 


I'M EUROFE. 

it is ofless elevation than the more southern chains; about 
GOOU feet. 

Q. What are the height and extent of the Ural mounts ? 

A. Their highest elevations do not exceed 7,000 feel ; but 
they extend more than 1200 miles. 

Q. What branches pass off from the Ural chain ? 

A. it divides at the southern extremity into two branches, 
which will be described under the mountains of Asia. 

Q. IIow far does the Ural chain extend north ? 

A. The Ural chain is supposed to-stretch to the northern 
ocean, and through the isles of Nova Zembla. They also are 
clothed with rich forests, and abound in minerals. 

Q. Which are the great physical divisions of Europe ? 

A. Europe cannot be divided into declivities and basins, 
like the,western continent, because the face of the country is 
much more broken. It may more properly be divided into 
the mountain chains of the north and southland the vallies 
between them. The mountains have generally been noticed ; 
but the low lands remain undescribed. 

Q. What kingdoms and states are found on the principal low lands, 

vallies of Europe ? 

A. These several regions include the southern and eastern 
parts of Russia, or rather Russia in Europe, generally ; Den¬ 
mark, Prussia, and the Baltic regions ot Poland. Also, the 
Netherlands, including Holland, the north of France, Get- 
many, with Austria and Turkey, in the basin of the Danube.. 

RIVERS, 

Q, Which arc the principal rivers of Europe ? 

A. The Wolga, the Don, the Dneiper, Danube, and Rhine 
are among the largest rivers of Europe. The others are so 
numerous that they will be noticed with their several coun¬ 
tries. 

MINERALS. 

Q. Which are the minerals of Europe ? 

A. There are several gold mines in Europe ; but the prin¬ 
cipal is at Krenmitz, in Austria; this is more valuable than all 
the other gold mines in Europe. Silver mines are also found 
in Europe, in Norway afnd Saxony ; but the mines ol Schem- 
nitz, and Krcmnilz, in Austria, are the most valuable. Iron 
is found in Great Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, 
Russia, Sweden, and Swedish Lapland. The most ancient 
iron mine is upon the island of Elba. The mines of Dane- 
roora in Sweden; are very noted. Lapland contains a moun¬ 
tain oT iron ore three miles long. Copper is found in Eng 


CurOpe. 


J'j: 

iami ia great abundance. Also, in the middle states of Eu 
tope, and in the Ufal mountains. Lead abounds in England 
and Scotland : it ir found also in France, Spain, and Germany. 
Tin is a metal more rare, and in Europe, is found only in 
"England and Spain. Q,uick-silver is a rare metal, and in Eu 
rope, is found only in Spain, Germany and Austria. Cobalt 
in Europe, is found in Germany only. Arsenic is procured 
11 om Germany, and the south of Europe. Antimony and bis 
mulh, are also procured from Germany. 

INFLAMMABLE MINERALS. - 

Q. In what countries are- these minerals found,? 

A. England produces coal in abundance, particularly at 
Newcastle, and Whitehaven ; it is also found in Scotland. 
France and Germany. 

Feat is found, and extensively used, in Ireland and Gcr 
many. 

Sulphur is found in Switzerland, Sicily and Poland. 

Bitumen and petroleum are found and used in the place ol 
oil, for lamps, in several places in Italy, particularly at .Mode 
ha and Parma 

1. MINERAL SALTS'. 

Q. Iu what part -of Europe is this mineral found / 

A. Mineral salt abounds in England, in the county ofChesh 
ire, where a bed is found nearly 100 feet thick, that produce? 
the fine Liverpool salt. Germany and Hungary abound in 
mineral salt ; but the salt mines of Poland are the most ex¬ 
tensive in the world. 

Gypsum, or piaster of Paris, is not found in Europe, except 
>n France, near Paris. 

Soda, as a mineral, is found in Hungary, 

Nitre, is found as a mineral, in Russia, Hungary and Spain 

MINERAL SI’RI'NGS. 

Q. Iii what countries of Europe are found warm or hot springs / 

A. In England, Fiance, Germany, Bohemia, Hungary. 
Switzerland, Spain and Portugal. 

Q. In what countries are chalybeate Springs found ? 

A. At Spa, in the Netherlands, in Hanover j at 1 unbridge, 
in England, Lc. 

Q. In what countries are found the saline springs ? 

A. At Cheltenham and Epsom, in England ; and at Selters 
in Germany. 


EUROPE. 


a o(j 

PRECIOUS STONES. 

Q. Which are the precious stones of Europe r 

A. Sapphires and rubies are found in France and Bohemia. 
The topaz is found in England, Scotland, Saxony, and Bohe¬ 
mia. Jasper and agate are found in Scotland and Germany. 
The diamond is not found in Europe. 

BUILDING STON.ESV 

Q. Which are the building stones of Europe ? 

A. White marble is found in Italy, of a sirpefibi* quaji'ty : 
clouded marble is found in the isles of Great Britain, in France, 
Spain and Italy. Chalk, as a rock, abounds in Trance, the 
Netherlands,. England, and Ireland, Denmark, Poland, and 
the south of Russia. Flint is a production of the chalk-stone. 
$<ui.d-stone..is common throughout Europe. 

'• ' GOVERNMENT, &£. 

Q,. What are the governments of Europe ? 

A. The governments ot Europe, are generally monarchi¬ 
cal. They will be considered more particularly under the 
several kingdoms and states. 

Q. What are the military and naval strength ? 

A. The land forces of Europe, in time of peace, are esti 
mated^at 1,600,00 men ; in war 3,oOQw)00. The maratime 
forces ;—ships of the line, 409 ; ships of fifty guns, 33 ; fri¬ 
gates, 348 ; inferior vessels, l,3Q3i. 

Q. What is the istate of literature* agriculture* commerce and tlie 
arts. 

A. These are all more highly cultivated and improved, in 
Europe, than in any other section of the globe. 

Q. What is the state of religion xh Europe ? 

A. The number of different religions is stated by Hassel 
asfollovvs :-Christians, 173,600,000; Mahometans, 3,700,000: 
Jews, 1,179,500. 

HISTORY. 

Q,. What is the history of Europe-? 

A. The nations or tribes that emigrated from Asia into Eu¬ 
rope, in the early ages, were rude and barbarous ; although 
they were distinctly a different race from the red men of 
America, they differed very little from them in civilization, 
or their manner of living. The names of these clans or tribes 
were numerous, and of too little consequence to be retained. 

The Hellenes or Greeks, upon the shores of the Archipel 
ago, were the first collection of tribes, who acquired the use 


EUROPE. 


of letters ; they began to associate in a confederacy, and cul¬ 
tivate the arts,at the time ofthe Amphictyonic Council, 1522, 
before Christ. About lOOOyears before Christ they subvert¬ 
ed the kingdom of Troy. 

These confederacies hecame so powerful as to be .able to 
defend their country against Xerxes, the king of Persia, with 
an army of several millions, about 500 years before Christ, 
In the year 333, [B. C,] Alexander king of Macedon subvert 
ed the liberties of his country ; began the empire of Greece, 
and commenced the. conquest of Asia; and Greece became 
mistress of th.e wprld ; she surpassed all the nations that had 
gone before her. ip the splendour of her arts and arms. 

In the year 753, before Christ, the Roman state was found¬ 
ed in Italy. Such was the rapioLand prosperous rise of this 
•state, that^at the commencement of the Christian era, it had 
subverted the kingdoms of Carthage . and Greece ; overrun 
and subdued all the sopth of Europe ; conquered the Bntons 
on the island of Ebgfind ; pn 1 had become mistress of the 
world. Rome find eclipsed Greece in the splendour of her 
arts and arms. .. <- . ^ 

In the yepr 330, after Christ, the Emperor Constantine re 
moved his court from Rome to Byzantium, and called it Con¬ 
stantinople, which divided the Rom‘<\n empire into two parts, 
the Eastern and Western, or Grecian and Latin, which laid 
the foundation ofthe Papal throne, and finally caused the ruin 
ofthe whole empire. 

About the middle of the 5th century, the Western Roman 
empire was subverted by the northern barbarians, from the 
north of Europe, and Rome herself was devoted to a general 
massacre and pillage. ■’ r ■ * 

(Questions. — What was the character of the first settlers of Europe * 
Which of th^ tribes first acquired the use of letters and the arts, and 
formed a civil compact, and when ? , 

When did they subvert the kingdom of Troy P 

When were the Greeks invaded by Xerxes, king of Persia, and what 
was the result i 

When did Alexander, the Greek, subvert the liberties of Greece, and 
establish universal empire ? 

What was the character of Greece at that time ? 

When was the Roman state founded ? 

When had Rome become mistress of the world, and what states lia'd 
she then conquered ? 

What washer character at that time ? 

When and by whom was the Roman empiro divided into Eastern and 
Western ? 

When and by whom was the Western Ronlstn empire overthrown, 
and what period did it introduce * 







EUROPE. 


228 

Home, or the Western Roman empire, which had stood un¬ 
rivalled in literature, arts and arms, was now stripped of her 
splendour and population, and possessed by the savage hordes 
of the north. 

Here commenced the period of the dark ages, that continu¬ 
’d about 1000 years, in which Europe became the great 
-daughter house, of nations, by their wars and massacres. In 
this period the Papal kingdom, and the other modern king 
doms and states of Europe took their rise, and commenced the 
history of modern Europe.. ' ■ 

These kingdoms and states generally, originated from some 
one clan, or horde of barbarians, who became.more ambitious 
and enterprising than their neighbours, and by their daring in 
novations, and lawless ravages, oVerrun and sqhdued tin 
neighbouring clans, until they were nfrle to assume and main 
tain an independent power, ^and jurisdiction. As these king¬ 
doms and states grew, and increased their powers and domin¬ 
ions, it became necessary to form coalitions among the smal¬ 
ler, or weaker states, or kingdoms, in order to check and con 
trou! the overbearing ambition of the larger, and more pow 
erful : this commenced the system of what is termed the bal 
nee of power, which continues to this day 

The Papal kingdom is a spiritual sovereignty, that rose up¬ 
on the ruins of the empire'of Constantine in the west, who 
was the first Christian Roman Emperor. In the early part oi 
the 7th century, the Popes began to -unite their spiritual and 
temporal powers ; and under this u-nion they lorded it over 
.Europe about 1000 years. 

Under such an order of things, it will at once be seen, that 
not one moment elapsed, during the period of more than 1000 
years, in which the nations of Europe, were not involved in 
wars, either with their neighbours, or in their own dominions. 

In addition to this, they carried war cn-masse into Asia, 
about the year 109b, which continued at various times, through 
i period of about two centuries, in which the sufferings and 
calamities of Europe were incomparably distressing and se 
vere. These were holy wars, styled Crusades, in "order to 
drive the Saracens, or Mahometans out of Jerusalem, and re¬ 
store the liberties of the cross. The crusades served to build 
up and establish the powers of the Popes. They also laid the 

What was the character of the dark age?, and Wh,at kino-dqms rogf 
out of that period ? 

WJiat was the state of Europo during this period, and what wars diV 
♦.hev carry on agajnst. the Saratrens of Asia - 



EUROPE 


i22y 

foundation ot' chivalry,' or knighterrantry, which -began fe 
"‘▼esome polish to manners, and a new lustre to woman. 

During this whole period of 1000 years, a military govern 
ment prevailed in Europe, called the feudal system. The 
chiefs were the lords of the soil, and the people were slaves. 

In the year 1453, Charles Vll. king of France, laid the 
foundation of the first standing army in Europe, by establish¬ 
ing a regular army, and levying a tax to support it. In ordfr 
to recruit (his army, he obliged each village in France to sup¬ 
port one archer, who was styled gentleman, because he was 
exempted from the King’s tax, ns were all the nobility. This 
measure laid the foundation of permanent governments in the 
several kingdoms and states* and ultimately rendered the king 
independent of the nobles. 

In 1463, the Turks took Constantinople, which put an end 
to the last vestige.tff the Roman empire. 

About the middle-ofthe 14th century, John WickUffe ap 
peared in England, and-commenced the reformation in reli¬ 
gion, by Jaying thefound^tion of the puritan church. 

The opinions and ddctrinps of Wickliffe, Spread into Ger¬ 
many, and were embraced, and publicly taught in Bohemia, 
by John Muss, professor of divinity in the university of Prague, 
and Jerome of Prague, bis colleague, men of eminent talents, 
piety and learning. The doctrines of. John Hoss commenced 
the reformation in Germany ; 6ut he was arraigned before 
the famous council of Constance, tried, condemned, and burnt 
as an heretic, 1*415. - 

In 1440, the art of printing commenced in Germany. The 
discovery was made by a Dr. Faust, or Faustus, of Strasburg. 
in the low countries, - 

Infhe year 1647. Martin Luther, professor of theology in 
the university of Wittemberg, publicly declared against the 
sale of indulgences, and- other corruptions of the Romish 
church, and prosecuted 4he reformation in .Germany, until 
he laid the foundations of the Protestant cause in Europe, up¬ 
on an immoveable basis. * 

What were the effects of the crusades upon Europe ? 

What was the character of these kingdoms, and what was their gov 
ernment ? , 

When did the Turks take Constantinople ? 

When and by vrtiom was. the puritan church commended ? 

When and by whom was the art of printing invented ? 

When did Martin Luther commence the Reformation in Germany, 
and what was his character ? 

20 




230. 


EUROPE. 


The general wars that have followed this grand epoch in 
Europe, have all been more or less connected with the re¬ 
formation ; even the 25 years war of the French revolution 
was a triumph of infidel philosophy over the corruptions ot 
Popery, and laid the foundation of'n free toleration in F ranee, 
which so far favoured the reformation. * . 

That spirit of liberty which kindled the fire of the French 
revolution, and subverted almost all the thrones upon the 
continent of Europe, was smothered by the peace ot Id 15, 
but so far from being extinguished, that the sovereigns of Eu¬ 
rope found it necessary to enter into a general league, at the 
Congress of Vie-nntT, 18 1$, termed .the Holy Alliance, for the 
suppression ot all further insurrections, or political revedn 
tions, and tor the-speurity ami, tranquility oftheijj thrones. 

In 1820, a reyolution commenced in Spain, that subverted 
the legitimate government, and restored 'the constitution ot 
1812, and the king, Ferdinand VIE swore; to maintain and 
support it ; but the Prince of Angouleihe, at the head ot 
100,000 Frenchman, sanctioned by the Holy Alliance, march¬ 
ed into Spain, abolished the constituting,, and restored the le¬ 
gitimate government, 1S2£.. 

In 1821, a revolution commenced in the kingdom of Na¬ 
ples, and threatened the subversion of the.Jovernment ; but 
the Emperor of Austria-sent a strongfoYce into Naples, that 
suppressed the revolution, and established the legitimate gov¬ 
ernment. 

At the same’ time a revolution commenced in England, un¬ 
der the mask of radical reform, supported by the Queen and 
threatened to. subvert the. government ; but the. strength of 
the British government stood firm against.the.violence-of the 
shock; and a splendid: coronation day, together with the 
death of the Queen, resfored the tranquility and permanency 
of the government, without the,/assistanceof the Holy Alli¬ 
ance. 

'’/y "■ REMARKS. 

Europe has passed through the extremes of political chan¬ 
ges. The early ages of barbarism were succeeded by the 

What have bee.n the effects of the Reformation upon Europe ■ 

When and for what, purpose did the Holy Alliance commence ? 

When did the revolution commence in Spain, and how was it s.uu- 
pressed ? • d 

When did the revolution commence in Naples, and how was it sup 
pressed ? 1 

When did the revolution commence in England, and how wasit sup¬ 
pressed ? 

What is the summary review of Europe ? 




GREAT BRITAIN. 


231 

splendid empires of Greece and Rome, in which the arts and 
sciences, with the- refinements of ’social life were carried to 
1 heir lughes-t improvements. Greece was subdued by the 
Homans, and the Romans by the Northern barbarians, and 
Europe in.the 5th century, was again involved in the dark¬ 
ness of barbarism. In the 15th century* light began to arise 
again upon Europe, and she has now recovered that splen¬ 
dour that Was the pride of Greece and Rome. But the na¬ 
val and '-commercial sfdepdour of modern Europe, far sur¬ 
pass every thing of fjie kind, ever known before. These 
have enabled several :, of the kingdoms-of Europe to ear¬ 
ly their conquests aud settlements abroad, until they have 
added an extent of territory to thoirdlominions, greitter than 
the whole of Europe; an exte+u of territory, equal nearly to 
one half of the land of tbp globe. . . 

GREAT BRITAIN. 

What sections of Europe arc comprised in the British Empire 
A. England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Shetland Isles, Ork¬ 
ney hies, Hebrides, ' Isle of Waii,.' Anglesea, Scilly Isles, 
Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, Heligoland, Gibrqltar. 
Malta, and the Ionian isles-. 

Q. VVinch are* thedfbreign possessions ? w 

A. Great Britain has extensive and Valuable possessions in 
Asia, Africa. North America.the West Indies, and claims the 
province of Guiana, in South America. 

Q. What is the population of the British Empire ? -> 

A. In Europe, I?,71TI,581 ; foreign possessions,64,47 1,581 
Q. What is tire national debt ? 

A. It was stated in 1818, at £1, 106,759, 615 sterlings 
Q. What ate the revenue and expenditures ? • 

A. In 1816,Ghe revenue- pin'ohnted to j06 1,755,153 ster¬ 
ling ; in 1817, to £51,728,757. in 1813, the expenditure 
was £l 18,827,8 13. In the year ending Jan. 1817, the ex¬ 
penditure was £80,185,823\ and the sum raised by taxes the 
same year, was £66,579,520. 

Q. What is the state of the army, and navy ? 

A. The army in 1818, amounted to 115,486 men ;* in Eu¬ 
rope, 65.126 men. The navy in 1814 consisted of 1022 
vessels of war ; 250 of which were ships of the line ; the 
whole carrying 140,000 men. 

Q. What is tiie amount of /shipping ? 

A, The tonnage of the British empire in 1816, was 


232/n 


EUROPE. 


2,983,940 tons ; of England 2,152,868 : of Scotland 263,536 ; 
of Ireland 63,229 tons. 

Q. What is the amount of exports ? 

A. The exports in 1816, amounted to £60,983,894 ; ot 
which goods to the amount of £44,053,455 were of. British 
productions or manufactures. 

The metallic manufactures of England employ more than 
300,000 workmen, and yield more than £17,000,000 annu¬ 
ally. 

The woollen manufactures employ more than 500,000 
workmen, and yield an amount of more than £180,000,000 
annually. 

The cotton manufactures employ more'than 400,000 work¬ 
men, in England and Wales, and produce’£15,000,000 an¬ 
nual ly. 

Q. What is the nobility of Great Britain ? 

A. There are five order's of English nobility, who have 
hereditary seats in parliament, and hereditary tities ;* viz. 1, 
Dukes ; 2, Marquises ; 3, Earls ; 4, Ydscouhts ; o, Barons. 
There are also baronets, who have hereditary titles. k 

Q. What is the government of Great Britain ? 

A. The government of Great Britain is.aft hereditary mon¬ 
archy, in which the power of the sovereign is controlled by 
the influence of the aristocracy, in the house of peers ; and by 
that of the democracy, in'the houses of commons.-^-The house 
of lords is composed, 1st, of all the nobility of England, who 
have attained the age of 21 years^-and iv.ho labour under no 
disqualification;—number in 1820, 2i-8 ; viz. 25 dukes, (7 
of them royal dukes,) 17 marquises; luO earls, 22 viscounts, 
and 1^3 barons ;—2d!y, of 16 representative peers iiom 
Scotland ;•—3dly, of 28 representative peers from Ireland ; 
and 4thly, of 32 spiritual lords, viz, the 2 English archbish¬ 
ops, and 24 bishops, and 5 representative Irish bishops : to¬ 
tal in 1820, 372.—:The house of commons' consists of 658 
members, chosen by counties, cities and boroughs ; 489 are 
chosen for England, 24 for Wales, 45 for Scotland, and 100 
for Ireland. 

The ministry is composed of the first lord of the treasury, 
*he chancellor of the exchequer, and three secretaries, of 
foreign affairs, of the home'department, and of war ; the 
lord chancellor, the president of the council, the treasurer 
of the navy, the paymaster of the forces, the commissioners 
of the treasury, and other persons of high trust. The first 
lord of the treasury is usually considered fhe-premier, o- 


ENGLAND. 


233 


pVaui m;n; .l r. It sometimes happens that-the' offices of first 
lord of the treasury, and of chancellor ot the exchequer, are 
held by the sarge person. 

' « 'further Geographical description and Eistory of 

Great Britain, see England , Scotland, h'elttnd, <$"£.] 

\ EXGLAND, 

, ' . WALES. ■ 

# Q- What arq the situation and'e-xleiit of England : ' . . 

*A. England is hounded ; on the N. Tv Scotland ; E. by the 
straits of Dover and the North sea ; S: by the ‘Atlantic ocean, 
and British cn mrud ;• and VF. by-jSL ( 7 (forge’s channel, the 
Irish, sea, and North channel, whiclj stpaiAte it from, Ireland 
it is about 400.miles long and i'50' broad, anePeontains about: 
50,000square miles. ; •. . ; 1 

Q Wiiatare thevsituatijm and extent of Wales? 

A.- Wales ijes upbiHpe western shore of England'; is 130 
miles long and IQO broad. 

Q. How is England separated frem Scotland ? * 

A. England is separated -from Scotlanr!”*i)y a line extehding 
across the isbvnd near the Frith of Fourth, embracing the 
rival Tweed, the Cheviot biibv, and the Solway Frith. 

Q. Whit are the civil divisions! arid population ? 

A, England is divided inip"40 counties’, and Whales irfto 12 ; 
and these into toivns.. Population of England, 11,200,555 : 
Wales,' 17,108. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. Extremely variable ; it is Subject to frequent rains and 
fogs, and irregular frost, 11 is not .uncommon to have frosts 
m June, and the Temperature of June in December ; yet the. 
country is always green throughout the year. 

Q. What is the face of the country 

A. It is neither mountainous nor level '; but delightfully 
undulating with hill and dale, and richly ornamented with all 
the variety tvhich the highly improved state of agriculture 
can possibly produce. 

Q. Which are the mountains ? 

A. A range of hills or mountains, extends through the west, 
of England, particularly in the Principality ofWales, as far as 
the county of Cumberland. 

Q. What are the soil and productions / 

A. England has some extensive plains, like the Salisbury 
plains : and some barren heath ; but the soil, otherwise is a 

20 * 


234 


EUROPE. 


strong clay and loam. The productions of England are such 
as are common to (he. temperate zone : wheat, rye, barley, 
oats, buck-wheat, $£c, ; but their summers are not sufficient¬ 
ly long to bring to perfection Indian corn ; it,does not rank 
among their crons. Their pasturage is good ; and England is 
noted for fine horses', sheep arid cattle. 

•Q. What is the state of gardening in .England ? 

A. English gardening is in great perfection ; not only the 
natural vegetables, fruits and shrubs, are highly cultivated, 
but exotics of all climes are frequent in the gardens of Eng¬ 
land, by the assistance of hot and green hous.es. 

Q.. Which are the minerals ? ■ . 

A. These are numerous,, Viz. gold, -silver, copper, iron, 
lead, & tin-; the mines of (Cornwall - abound in.the latter. Also, 
salt, marble, free-stone, and co;d, are abundant. 

Whir;h-firQ the? .principal lakes ? 

A’. Lakes Winandermere, Derwent, and'Uhyater. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? • ' ' 

A. The Thames, Severn, Trent, Hum her, Ouse, Mersey. 
Dee, four Avons, Tweed, and Tyne. ' 

Q-. Which are the principal towns and naval ports ? 

A. London, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Tor-boy, Miiford-Ha- 
ven, Chatham, and Warwick, are noted naval ports. Liver¬ 
pool and Nottingham are. famous /for- their potteries and ho¬ 
siery ; Wilton and Kidderminster, for Carpet:? ; Birmingham 
and Sheffield, for cutlery and hardware Manchester, for 
cottons ; York, Wakefield and Leeds, for woollens ; New¬ 
castle, fir coal; Coventry, for - ribbons Gloucester, for 
pins ;. Devjzes is-noted for its woof : Bath, Tor it# mineral 
springs.; Bristol has an extensive trade.; Hull is engaged in 
the whale fishery ; Exeter is a large'ccmmercial town ; «nd 
Yarmouth is enriched by her .fishery. . 

Wrexham is the principal town of Wales' famous for its 
flannels ; Brecknock^ tiarmaHhen,' Pembroke. Hcdyh^ad and 
Milford-Haven, arealsoTn Wades • the latter ffiajr the best 
harbour in Europe*, in which more than 100(1 ships may fie 
with safety. 

Q. Which are the principal places of fashionable resort? 

A. Bath is the most no^ed for its mineral waters. Brighton 
for sea-bathing. Ramsgate, Margate and Scarborough, are 
of some note. Cheltenham, Clifton, Buxton, Matlock, Har- 
rowgate, and Tunbridge-Wei Is, are all places of considera¬ 
ble resort. 

Q. What is the situation of London ? 

A. London stands upon both sides of the river Thames, about sixlv 
miles from its mouth, and is connected by six elegant, bridges, vi % 


ENGLAND. 


23.5' 


London bridge, Black Friar's bridge, Weslmins^ei bridge, Waterloo 
bridge, Southwick and Vauxhall bridges. These are im in a differ¬ 
ent style ; but most masterly specimens of architecture,’ 

Q. What are the extent and population 

A. It is about thirty miles in circuit, and coiutaujs more than 100,000 
dwelling houses, and more than 1,000,000 of people; the largest, ci-. 
tv in Europe. v 

Q. What are its. commercial advantages.? 

A. As a ricji commercial city, it surpasses all others, and is the.cap¬ 
ital of the whole Britfsh empire ; which is also the largest \n the 
world. • . • ■ x 1 

The ships or vessels of Ldndo'n amount 1o six hundred thpusand 
tons, and her annual itnports H and exprurts ■ to more- than seventy mil¬ 
lion pounds sterling. , - - 

Q. Whiciv are the public buildings and* plates of'public resort ? 

A. Five royal palaces ; 7eoUeges or, societies literati ; 10 public ' 
libraries ; 16 kans/jf courts; 94 cOmpanic^ or rather-guilds of trades¬ 
men with thoir stptely halls to ^transact business j St. Paul’s church, 
guildhall, and fhe lord mayor’s; palace J .mor.q than 100 churches, 
nearly 100 parochial chapels, and neta+ly 2-'0 chapels of different de¬ 
nominations, and 6 Jewish synagogues and 35 foreign, churches ; 30 
, public free schools, 300 public charity.schools, and more than 3000 
| private schools; £7 hospitals ; 95 alms houses; 57 parochial work 
; houses, 5 houses off correction*, and 14 prisons ; 45 offices of traffic 
| and commerce ; 4 play Houses ; '33 markets , 2 magnificent parks, G 
public gardenSj and thp monument,, 

Q. • What are tho dimensions qffSt. Paul’s church ? 

A. It is 5 >0 feet lohg, 282 broadi; artd 340 high to - the top of the 
cross : it was 30 years in building r cost £757,954. 

Q. What are the dimensions of guild" hall. 

• A. This noble edifice is 1534'eet long, 48-fbet broafL and 55 feet 
high, and is capaqious ehough to-oontain 7009 people. ‘ 

What is the situation o’f-the tower of London? 

Af The fowpr of Londop-stands upon t/ie ;bank's of the Thames, 
contiguous to the city of London, is a strong fortress upon a cpm- 
! mantling position, andcovers more than 12 acres of ground within its 
walls. r . •** ' 1 - 

Q. Who built this tower* and wha.t vva^ its desigh ? 

A. The tower was built by king Vyilliam II. about the ye.ar 1080, as ’■ 
a strong fortress to protect the city, and as a'royal palaco! It is used’ H 
! also, asa royal arsenal, and but two often &s*a royal- prison. Itisalso 
I a royal treasury for the-'jewels and archives' of the. crown, and the 
mint; a grand deposit for all the royal 'curiosities, and a state prison 
for all the great criminals of state. *. 

Q. What is the history of London 

A. London was founded by the Romans about 40 years before Christ, 
i and became a flourishing city in the time of Nero, 60 or 70 years after 
I Christ. It, was pillaged by queen Boadieea, in the year 65. In the 

• years 830.851,872, 1013, and 1016, it was ravaged by the Danes, In 
the years 983, 1078* 1086,1175, 1212, and it was visited by de¬ 
structive fires. In the last, London bridge was burnt, together with 
39 churches, 400 streets, an 1 13,000 dwelling houses ; the cathedral 
of St. Paul, and gtfild-hall, with u any other public buildings. Dam¬ 
age £10,780,000. 






EUROPE. 


236 

Q. VVliat^ther calamities have befallen London ? 

A. The plague commenced in 661, and ravaged the city. It ap¬ 
peared again in 1407,1509,1603, and in 1665 ; in all which, more than 
,'00,000 people died. In 1000, GOOhonses wore demolished by a hur¬ 
ricane. In 1343, a pestilence commenced that lasted several ,y ears, 
and destroyed more than l()0,OQO people. In 1250, more than 20*000 
perished with hunger. 

- vThe plague in 1665, (the year before the great fire) -so depopulated 
London, that the grass grew green in many of its streets. It destroy¬ 
ed more than 100’,000 people in one-year. - 

Q. What public- edifice remains in Lytfdou, cbmmemorativeof the 
great fire of 1656 ? ' ‘ 

A.-The monument. This lofty structure is ctihsidefod as tlie finest * 
coLuumiu-the.world. It is 202leet lqgli r brectc'd upon a base df 28 feet, 
square, and crovyued with a guilded- flariie 32 fedt high; The shaft is 
20 feet higher"than Trajan’s pillar-dt Rome, Within' is a black mar¬ 
ble stairca'se that leads to an iron balcony, witliin -12 feet of the top. 

Q. What is- the aiiibun’t.of the capital of the bank of England .? 

A. It is j£l 1,61^6.,^00 sterling. 

Q. What is the §tate of literature in England*;? 

A. The English have equalled, it not -surpassed all other 
nations in the arts and sciences ■ the.universities ol Oxford 
and Cambridge are veryT'cel eh rated. 

Q. What is the religion.of England * '• ’ 

A. Th i Pfotestaht Episcopal Church is'the established re¬ 
ligion ; hilt-it free tblerationds enjoyed in-EngfancL 
What are the inteimaH-mprovements ? 

A. The first canal tp England, was. made by the duke of j 
Bridgewater, in 1736. Since that dime canals have become | 
very numerous,, opening an internal cofxununid'ati-on between I 
most of the great towns/ for. the conveyance oftheir manufac- ] 
tures, imd.aisq for the transportation- of agricultural -produce i 
to the seaports. They are distinguR-hed by b.eing of moder- ; 
ate width, generally-straight, p.as^ing thrOHgh hfliS'by tunnels, 
and over valloysor rivers,- by aqueducts, and Jew, if any, are. 
without locks. Some of the principal, are the Asldy de la 
Zouch canal , 50 mile's long ; the Basinstroke 37 • the Cov¬ 
entry and Oxford ; the Chesterfield 45 ; the Ellesmere 57 ; 
the Grand J'unrtion canal, branching off from the Thames at l 
Bedford, 100; the Grand Trunk, opening with the Severn, 
135; the Hereford 35 ; the Ghennet and Avon 57 ; the |! 
Lancaster 56 ; the Liverpool and Leeds 130 : the Oxford 91 ; 
the Leicester and Northampton 43 ; the Thames and Sev¬ 
ern $0 ; the Wilts and Berks 52 ; the Warwick and Binning-' jj 
ham 25 ; the Worcester and Birmingham 31 1-2 miles long. 
'There are also many others. The canal from London to the ‘ 
Medway.is remarkable for its tunnel, two miles through the 
chalk hills vessels of 300 tons may pass this canal. The 




ENGLAND. 


237 


I length ol the canals in England, taken collectively, exceeds 
I 2000 miles. V 

Iron railways have recently been introduced into England', 
i which have greatly facilitated the conveyance of heavy birr- 
J dens upon land, and are in many places become as useful as 
j canals, by the means of waggons moved by steam. 

A tunnel is now constructing, and in great’.fonvardness, 

| near-London, as a pass-way under the river Thames, that is 
I calculated to afford the same facilities of passage as either of 
I the bridges in-London. 

■Q. What uro the antiquities ? • J ' > 

A. I he temnle ofth-e Druhls, called Stone I.Ienge, in WiK- 
| shire • the altars, monumental inscriptions, ;md military ways 
of the Roimms ; and their walls near the Frith or Forth, # 
built against the Piets and Scots. Also, the Saxon eeclesins- 
I lical edihees/and forts. " < * 

‘ HISTORY. 

Q. What is the friptoty’; of England ? 

A. England was- origin;.My inhabited by the Britons, who 
sprang Irom the Gauls or'Celtee. They were invaded by the 
Roman? under Julius Ctpsar about 40 years before the cluis- 
lian era, who' founded London ; and in tile year 44, they 
were mare generally- subtfired by the Roman general, Clau- 
| (lias. 

in the year 85 of the Christian era, the Roman general'Ag- 
ricola, fully sqbdued the Britons, and they continued a Roman 
province until the year 410 ; then the Roman troops were 
withdrawn to defend # their own country against the northern 
barbarians. The Britons, soon after, wereso harassed by the 
Piets and Scots, their ancient and natural’ enemies, that they 
invited the Romans to return to, their protection ; but when 
they found this- impracticable,' they invited over the Saxons, 
from Germany, who in their turn-subdued The Britons, in the 
year 455, anrd'divided thert coriqueyt into seven kingdoms, 
or states, palled the Heptarchy, as follows :t 1 • The King 

t The counties, as belonging to their several kyigdoffts, are designated 
on the Map bp the JYos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 

Questions. —Who were the fust people of England ; when and by 
whom were they conquered ? 

When and for what cause did the Romans abandon Britain, and what 
were the consequences ? 

vyhsn and by whom was Britain next subdued, and what confederacy 
did they establish ? 




233 


EUROPE. 



doin oT KontVt contained only the county of Kent: its Kings- 
were in number 17.—Thi^ king lom began 464 ; ended o28. 

—Its first Christ's in.king urns' Ethelbert. 2. The kingdom ot i 
South Saxons conftam'ed the counties of Sussex arid Surry, its 
kings were*.8-—This kingdom began 491 ; ended 685.--It* 
first cjiristlm king was Adetwach. 3. The kingdom of East 
Saxons contained the counties of Essex and Middlesex : its 
kings were 1 !.—:’fhis kingdom began .527 ; ended 827.-—Its 
first Christian king was Serhart. 4. The kingdom pf North* | 
uinberlaivl contained Voi’k^ltirb,- Diirfiam. 'd/incashife, VVe*l- 
.rnorelamk Cumberland, and Xortj^vlniberlanil : its kings.werc 
• M.—This kingdom begin 547 ; ended 327.—Its first-Chris¬ 
tian king 'was Edwin. .5; The kingdom of idercjacontained 
. the counties of Huntingdon, ItutbiiAl, Lincoln", ‘Northampton, 


Leicester, PdrbV; Nottinghlui. Oxford-, Chester, Salop, 

< Bonces- txy, W on: e sib r„ St afford, W nr wick, B u c k i ngu am, 
Bedford, and ILwtW.I xita kings were/48.—This kingdom 
began 582 ; ended 827 —its first Christian king was Panda, 
(h The kingdom of East Angles contained the counties ot Suf¬ 
folk, Norfolk. Curb bridge,, and the.isle of fidy : its kings were 
5 4.—This kingdom Uegait 575; ended 792.—Its first chris- 


tio: i king was lied'wal 1. 7. The kingdom of West-.Safcons 

contained the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somer¬ 
set, Wilts'. Hants, an 1 Berks : its kings'were 17. —This king¬ 
dom began 9 ; ended 828.—its first Christian king was 
Eingillis. The Saxbrfs, tliitugh they, were divided into seven 
kingdoms, were*, .for the midst part, -object only to one mon¬ 
arch, who was slylod- king of the- English nation the rirost 
powerful.giving la w to the others, afvd succeeded'to the nuto * 
her of 4 1, wiien England wqs invaded v by William, duke of 
Normandy. This kingdom' was united into a kingdom by Eg¬ 
bert, the first king o.f England, by a'general council, held'at 
\Vincdiester,;'in the year 82 7, N '* 

England was conquered by the Danes in ihe year 877, and 
recovered by king Alfred in 880, who divided it into counties, 
ail,I hundreds, in tire year o8d ; established a regular militia, 
framed a body of laws in' 899, encouraged learning by found¬ 
ing schools ; founded the-university at Oxford, and invited 
leir.ied men from all p irts of Europe to settle in England, 


What were the names of the several states belonging to the Hep¬ 
tarchy ? 

Who united this Heptarchy, and became the first king ? 

When and by whom Was England next conquered, and by whom was 
was it recovered ? 





ENGLAND. 


ami gave great, encouragement to the pursuit cf learning ; he 
enjoined it upon all frce-holders, or owners of land, to send 
t-heii r children taschool ; and he gave preform nt in church 
and state to such only as had proficiency in jeai'ning ; bin 
above all, his own example was the most impressive;.al¬ 
though he had every thing to create that could civilize, gov 
erii, protect and defend a rude and barbarous people ; and . 
aUhough-be fought mqi e_rh;m fifty pitched battles' by hunt ami 
sea, yet in' one short life Ivehcf^dred a general'?md extensive 
knowferige of the most useful, 1 ire nature *; he introduced and 
encouraged the * meclbmifrd arts, and mahuf.vctures-,. and 
prompted men of industry. lrfi;d Activity to apply Vhetnselvcs to 
navigation -arid thus laid the iViindatfonoi English commerce ; 
in short, Alfred was the fovm^e^ of ;iU tho 1 e civil* religious, 
literary and commercial:-pijvileges; that Enghuid enjoys, to¬ 
gether with that sysTem'-of liberty'yvluch now prevails.in Eng- 
land, • L 

Alfred died i : n the year .90>, atid r Jeff in liw will, that “ ev- . 
erv Englishman-Oijrght ever to be as free es**his own thoughts.” 

In the year 910, the Danes re-hommenced tiveir ravages in 
England, which- continue?) to rhe year/1017, when Canute, 
the Dane, usurjied tl>e throne ofEngland. • 

In the year, 1041, Edwyrd tho-^.o.nleSsory sou of Ethelred, 

restored English th-r-mo. and k-A it to : Son Harold, win. 
expelled the D masi. 

In the ye;ir ItlSCfAV;tlli'am the . Nkkmand, ytyled tbe“con- , 
queror, acted Enghiful, and 'pi fared hinTseirupon'the throne. 
Willi- ..subvaried tiic' wboje system of ■ $;rx.cn liberties, that 
Alfred had %*Hnded t .and intro? I'iced /he feudal system into 
Engl ami; which laid ;jthe Tbunchrtioft of all the wretchedness 
and distress’ tliul England 'endured for man v. centuries. This 
system was. akpiiktHry aristpgracy, that organized a.regulat¬ 
ch ain dfs-uhordination and sery-ic-e, from the sovereign-to the 
villain, and renclOFed th-e-bqdy ofYfhc peopje-slave s' to the no¬ 
bles, who oppressed theiflr \yirh the most severe and cruel ex¬ 
actions, i:ands : eryrces, from which there whs no appeal. Wii- 

What-tvas the character and o-overnment of king Alfred ? 

When did king Alfred die, anti what; was worthy'of particular notice 
- in his will ? • ■ ' ' ’ •<-. 

When did the Danes ro-inva.dd England, and who usurped the throne, 
and when ? 

When- and by whom was the throne restored : 

When and by whom was it next conquered ; what were the consequen ¬ 
ces, and how long did they continue ? - 




EUROPE. 


mo 

Ham seized on the estates of the English nobility, and confer 
red them upon the officers of his army, and other Norman 
friends and followers, which rendered the oppression still* 
more severe : he also abolished the English or Saxon Inn 
guage-at court, and introduced the Norman French language, 
and ordered all the records of the kingdom to be kept in the 
.same ; in-short, he converted England into a Norman king¬ 
dom. 

This'state of things opened the field of ci vil wars in Eng¬ 
land, that raged from time to time,, between the-kings add bar¬ 
ons. pepjdO ahd barons,^and people and kings ; and the king¬ 
dom became a theatre of carnage, through these successive 
struggles, down to the time of the Commonwealth, in thd mid¬ 
dle of the J 7th century,,about §00 years. The descendants 
of William laid claims from time to tim$, to the possessions of 
Normandy, which involved them in expensive and bloody 
wars with France, down to the reign of Henry VII. of Eng¬ 
land. 1492, about 400 years ; when .Henry relinquished all 
the claims of the English crown upon Normandy for a sum of 
money. 

Q. Who were the-most distinguished monarchs upon the English 
throne, from the Norman conquest to the revolution under Charles 1. 
and the Commonwealth ? > -r _/ - 

A. There appears no king of any particular, eminence, un¬ 
til Henry IL Henry avas of the Norman dynasty ; ascended 
the. throne Oct. 24 th, 1154. Conque-rbd Ireland, 1172. 
Tpok the king of Scots prisoner, and. made him resign the in 
dependence of his crown, 11.75. Died with grief, 1189, and 
was succeeded by his son Richard I. Richard distinguished 
himself in the jv.ars of Sy ria, or Crusades, to fecover the Holy 
Land. Richard^ signalize.djiimself by his valor, as one of the 
greatest champions of the cross'; but vvas slain soon after his 
return to England,jn attempting to stoim one of the casles hi 
his barons ; and was succeeded by his brother John, 1199; 

John was a weak king, but his reign will ever be rendered 
memorable for the great charter of English liberties, which his 
barons exported from him, called magna charta , 1215.’ In 

this charter, the essential features of Saxon liberty, which Al¬ 
fred had founded, and which William I. had subverted, were 
noyv restored to England, upon parchment ; privileges to the 
barons, the clergy, and the people ; but the enjoyment of 

Who were the most distinguished kings under the Norman dynasty. 

and what were their characters ? 

When was Magna Charta obtained, and what was it ? 




ENGLAND, 


24 1 


these liberties the people of England had to obtain by a suc¬ 
cession of bloody struggles %vith the crown, under the strife of 
privilege and prerogative, for more than 400 years :—such is 
the difference between liberty on paper, and liberty in fact, or 
possession and enjoyment. The magna charta of king John 
was not a constitution, it was only a bill of rights, which de¬ 
fined the powers of the crown, and the liberties of the peo¬ 
ple. The successive kings of England considered this bill oj 
rights as having been extorted from king John, and used their 
endeavours to- subvert it, or set it aside ; but the people 
claimed it as their natural right, and urged its observance, 
until they obtained, through a succession of usages, the pres 
ent system of British free government. 

In the year 12-71, Edward I. succeeded his father, IJenry 
HI. ; in 1276, he attempted to subdue Wales ; and in 1282, 
he accomplished the conquest of Wales ; Lewellyn their last 
prince was slain. The more effectually to secure the con¬ 
quest of Wales, Edward ordered'all the Welch bards to be put 
To death, that they might not, by their martial songs, inspire 
their countrymen with a spirit to rebel In 1284, the queen 
of Edward, gave a princejto the Welch people, at Caernar ¬ 
von ; and the heir apparent to the crown of England, has in 
Jterited the title and revenue of prince of Wales, to.this 
time. 

In the reign of ifenry VIII. in 1536, the principality of 
Wales was incorporated with England, as an integral part o'! 
"he kingdom. 

Jn 1296, Edward entered Scotland with a powerful army, 
and by his sword and intrigues took possession of the kingdom, 
and sent king Baliol as a prisoner to the tower of London. 
The next year sir William Wallace roused up his countrymen 
to throw off the English yoke, and led them to victory ; Ed< 
ward again attempted the conquest of Scotland^ but failed, and 
died in the attempt, 1307. 

Edward II. succeeded to the throne, and attempted to pros* 
^cute the plan of bris father ; but failed, and Scotland remain 
ed free. 

Q. What memorable events signalized the reign of Edward III. * 

A. Edward III. was successful in his wars with Scotland 
and France ; he fought the memorable battle of Cressy, in 

When and by whom was Wales subdued, and when was it incorpora 
ted with England ? 

When and by whom did England wage successful war agJinsl Seol 
jaitd, atfd what were the consequences ? 

21 



^42 


EUROPE. 


France, on* the 26th of August, 1346, in which more than 
40,000 French were slain ; Edward gained this battle by 
means of four iron cannon, which were the first ever used in 
Europe. This action, by the use of gunpowder and fire-arms, 
commenced a new military era in Europe. From this time, 
-the wars of Europe began to assume a new stamp, and become 
less barbarous and sanguinary ; and may be considered as 
one of the means, (perhaps not the least) of introducing, or 
bringing forward the present state of civil refinement. 

In Oct. 1364, Philippa, queen of Edward III. took David, 
king of Scots, in a successful battle ; and in 1356, Edward, 
the Black Prince, son of Edward III. took John, the French 
king at the famous battle of Poictiers ; and Edward 111. bad 
the honor of the two kings for his gifests in London, for sever¬ 
al years. The splendour of Edward’s court 1 , gave as high a 
lustre to the English manners, as the success of his wars hail 
given to their arms. 

The limits of this work will not admit of the relation of the 
important events that took place in the reigns of Henry V 
VI. and VII. nor the distressing civd wars between the hous¬ 
es of York and Lancaster. 

It is an important feature in the English history, that Hen¬ 
ry VIII. severed the English crown from the dominion of the 
Pope, in 1533 ; and instituted.the present Episcopal church, 
in 1534, which laid the foundation of Protestantism in Eng¬ 
land. Henry abolished all religious cloisters in England ; iri 
1538, Edward VI. introduced the present liturgy. Queen 
Elizabeth confirmed the ecclesiastical establishment; the 
reign of queen Elizabeth stands pre-eminent in the annals of 
England, and of Europe. 

James the VI. of Scotland, succeeded queen Elizabeth, and 
became James I. of England, in 1603, which commenced the 
union of England and Scotland, under the title of Great Brit- 

When and by whom was the memorable battle ofCressy (in France) 
fought, and by what means was the victory, obtained ? 

What were the consequences of this battle upon Europe and the 
world ? 

When wore the kings of Scotland and France prisoners in England-, 
and by whom were they taken ? 

When and by whom was the Episcopal church established in England ; 
When and by whom was the present liturgy introduced ? 

When and by whom was the English church confirmed, and what was 
her character ? 

When and under what reign did the union of England and ShotlSnVi 
commence vvith thekiirgdbm of Great .Britain f 



ENGLAND. 


24$ 

-»hi. Tins union was confirmed by act of parliament, in the 
reign of William and Marv, in 1707. 

Q. What is the history of Great Britain ? 

A. King James, in attempting to suppress a spirit of tree 
toleration in religion, which became popular during his reign, 
opened a field of civil war, both in England and Scotland, that 
subverted the monarchy in the reign of hisson and successor, 
Charles I. ; brought the king to the block, and established the 
Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, as Lord High Pro¬ 
tector, 1653. 

In the year 165.1, the 'Commonwealth parliament passed 
the lamous navigation act. 

In the year 1660^ the monarchy was restored under Charles 

II. 

From this time Great Britain became engaged in wars with 
the- Dutch, French, and Spaniards, almost without intermis¬ 
sion, down to the peace of Paris, 1763, when she dispossess¬ 
ed France of all Jier possessions in .North America, except 
New‘Orleans* This conquest was then supposed to have se 
cured the peace of her American colonies ; but in 1775, 
Great Britain levied war upon her American colonies, that 
ended in 1783, by the peace of Paris, which declared the co¬ 
lonies free and independent states ; in this war she lost more 
than 100,000 men, and expended more than £100,000,000 
sterling. • : 

In the year 1789,, the French revolution commenced, and 
Great Britain soon after entered into a coalition with the pow¬ 
ers of the continent, to check and control it, which involved 
her in a war that continued, with but little intermission, down 
to the peace of 1314 and 1815, nearly 25 years. This was 
the longest and most violent war in which Great Britain was 
ever engaged ; hut fay the length of her purse, and the 
strength of her navy, she was enabled to give that support to 
the- powers of the continent, which checked and controlled 
the French revolution, and restored the monarchy of France. 

In 1800, Ireland became an integral part of Great Britain, 
by the union of the two kingdoms. 

In the year 1 812, the United States of America declared 
war against Great Britain, which raged in America, and upon 

What is the history of Great Britain ? 

When did tire French revolution commence ? what were its effects up 
on Great Britain ? and when did it close ? 

When was Ireland united with Great Britain ? 

When did the United States declare war against Great Britain, and 

by what peace was it closed ? , 




EUROPE, 


dU 

)he ocean, to the peace of Ghent, February, 1815. Since 
lhat time, Great Britain has enjoyed uninterrupted peace. 

In the early part of the 16th century, the English began tu 
extend their commerce into India. Such has been the sue 
cess of British commerce and enterprise in India, through a 
period of 300 years, that she now possesses more than 
60,000,000 of subjects in that country, and derives from 
thence such a revenue as has enabled her to sit the arbiter ot 
Europe, and give law to the Ocean. 

Since the commencement of the French revolution in 1780, 
Great Britaiir has increased her trade with the Spanish Amer¬ 
ican colonies. Since these colonies commenced their revo 
lutions in 1810, Great Britain has continued to extend her 
commerce with them ; and in 18&4, she. acknowledged the 
independence of all the Spanish provinces of North and South 
America, which has confirmed to hera'free‘commercial access 
to the wealth of all Spanish America. 

Great Britain is now at peace with all the world, and en¬ 
joys a free trade, not only with India and America, but with 
the whole habitable globe, and her prosperity wus never so 
flourishing since she was a nation, as at this time. 

What have been the effects of British commerce, with India ? 

When did Great Britain acknowledge the independenae of Spanish 
America, and wllat have been the consequences ? 

What is the present state of the British nation ? 

SCOTLAND. 

•Q. What are the situation and extent of Scotland ; 

A. Scotland is bounded on the XV, and N. by the Atlantic 
ocean ; E, by the German ocean ; S. E. by England, front 
which it is separated in part by the river Tweed ; S. by Sol 
way Frith ; and S. \V. by that part of the I rish Sea called the 
North channel. It is about 300 miles long and 100 broad. 

Q,. What are the civil divisions and population of Scotland ? 

A. Scotland is divided into circuits and counties, as an inte-* 
gral part of Great Britain,. Population 1,864,864. 

Q. What is the face of tho country ? 

A. It is rough and mountainous in the north. The Gram 
pian hills intersect the middle parts ; but the south is an ex 
lended plain. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The mountains of the north are barren ; the Grampian 

hills yield excellent pasturage, and the southern plains art 



SCOTLAND. 24i> 

well cultivated. The productions are rye, barley, and flats', 
principally. 

Q, How are the people divided ? 

A. Into Highland and Lowland Scotch ; the former retain 
the leading features of the feudal system to this day, and are a 
hardy, brave, warlike people. The Lowland Scotch are an 
industrious, enterprising and intelligent people. Literature 
and the ails are highly cultivated among them. They 
rich in agriculture, manufactures. Commerce, and fisheries. 

Q. Which arc the minerals? 

A. Lead, iron, coal, lapislazuli and alum, 

Q. Which are the principal rivers t 

A. The Forth, Tay, Dee, Tweed, Spray, Clyde, &c- 

Q. Which aic the principal lakes or lochs ? 

A. Lochs Lomond, Tay, Fine, Awe,anti Ness 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. Ben-Nevis, which is 4,387 feet above the level of till 
sea, and the highest upon the island of Great Britain, Also* 
Ben-Chronachan, 3,390 feet. 

Q. Which are the chief towns r 

A. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, near the rivei 
Forth ; it stands upon an eminence, aud is noted for its univer 
sity ; many of the houses are from ten to fourteen stories higbi. 
and mostly built of freestone and brick ; it is a place of c.pn 
siderable trade ; Leith is its seaport. 

Glasgow, upon Clyde, is a more commercial city than EtF 
inburgh, and has more manufactures ; but not so prosperous^ 
it has the most splendid cathedral in Scotland. Aberdeen ami 
Dundee, are large flourishing cities ; the former has a univer 
sity. St. Andrews also has a University. Perth is a hand* 
some town. Berwick and Sterling are noted in Scottish an¬ 
nals. 

Q. What are the manufactures \ 

A, The manufacture of iron, woollen, cotton and lipeii, are 
ihe principal. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. It is very flourishing. The Scotch have a naturalise 
for the arts and sciences. 

Q. Which are the antiquities and curiosities »f Scotlandj* 

A. There are many remains of the ancient Druids ; B-omnn 
camps, walls, &.c. Also, a petrifying cave j and ©yster^frejlD 
upon a mountain 20 miles from the sec. 

Q,, What is their national character ? 

A. They are brave, hardy, temperate and industrious.. 

Q, Which are the isles of Scotland ? 

A These are numerous upon the coast Hebrides 

21 * ' ‘ 


EUROPE 


"Mo 

consist of a range of islands, about 300 m number, and contain 
» population of 70,000. The Orkneys, on the north, are 20 
m number ; they were early settled by a hardy and industri 
ms people. 

The Shetland isles are more northern still : are more nu 
tnerous than the Orkneys, and contain a population of 20,000 
Grazing and fishing are their chief employment 

HISTORY, 

Q. What is the history of Scotland ? 

A. Scotland boasts of a line of kings from Fergus 1. who 
reigned 328 years before the Christian era ; and that she has 
never been conquered. She transferred her last king, James 
VI. to the throne of England, as the rightful heir, under the 
title of James I. in the year 1603. Since that time the two 
kingdoms have been united under one crown, under the title 
if Great Britain. In the year 1707, this union was confirmed 
hy~act of parliament. 

Questions. —When and by whom was Scotland united with Eng¬ 
land, and under what title ? 
iYh'en was this union confirmed by parliament * 

IRELAND 

QV What are the situation and extent of Ireland" T 

A Ireland is bounded on the E. by St. Georges channel, 
the Irish sea, and North channel, which separate it front 
England ; and on all other sides by the Atlantic ocean. It is 
about 300 miles long and 150 broad. 

Q„ How is Ireland divided, and what is the population ? 

A. It is divided into four provinces, viz. Leinster, Ulster,. 
YTunster, and Connaught ; and into 32 countries. Population 
about 5,000,000. 

Q, What is the climate of Ireland * 

A. The same as of England ; but the seasons are generally 
more moist. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains? 

A. The Sliebh-bloom, and Sliebh-donard the latter hag 
an elevation of 3,168 feet. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A, Ireland abounds with swamps, which the inhabitants 
nave exeFted themselves very much to drain, aud reduce to 
dtage i the arable and pasture grounds are very productive 




IRELAND, 


Hid the Irish beef is the best in the world. All the various 
kinds of grain in England, grow in Ireland ; but oats and po¬ 
tatoes are the principal food of the poor. 

Q. What is peculiar to Ireland ? 

A. There is not a venomous reptile or aninnl, upon th« 
island. 

Q. Which are the minerals ? 

A. Copper, lead, iron, coal, marble, and some silver. 

Q.. Which are the principal lakes or loughs? 

A. Lough Neagh, famous for its petrifying waters. Lough? 
Erne, Foyle^ Corrib, Ree and Derg*. 

Q. Which are the principal riveis ? 

A. The Shannon, Black-water, Barrow, Shir, Lifty, Noir« 
Boyne, Ban don, and Derg. 

Q. What is the inland navigation of Ireland ? ■ 

A. The grand canal connects the Lifty, with the Shannon, 
G3 miles in length. The royal canal connects the city ot 
Dublin with the Shannon. Several others connect Dublin 
with the streams ol the interior. 

Q. Which are tho principal cities ? 

A. Dublin, the capital of Ireland, stands upon the Liffy 
and is the second city in Great Britain ; it has a populitioa 01 
1 4 1 >-,000, and contains the only university in Ireland, 

Cork is next to Dublin in size, but ha3 a more extensive 
foreign trade. Limerick is one of the most flourishing citie:- 
in Ireland. Galway, Waterford, Belfast, Londonderry, an3 
Kilkenny., are all flourishing towns. 

Q. What is their national character ? 

A* The Irish, like the Scotch, are brave, hardy, frugal 
and industrious ,* quick of apprehension, impatient of inju 
ries ; violent in their passions, and f ond of glory . The pea 
santry are more depressed than any other class of poor in Eq 
rope, except the Poles. 

HISTORY, 

What is the history of Ireland ? 

A. The Irish were the descendants of thaancient CeKar, 
like the Scots and Piets, a rude and barbarous race. 

The Irish were converted to Christianity by St, Patrick, in 
the filth century. 

Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, (England,) invaded Ireland 
in the year 1170; and Henry II. compl ted the conquest,' 
1172. Ireland became the theatre of wars, which continu 
ed from time to time, under various insurrections and rebel 
lions, down to the time of their union with Great Britain? in 


EUROPE 


.'248 

the year IS00. Tdrt Irish suffered in tho*e scenes, With un 
paralleled severity. 

Insurrections are still common to Ireland ; an! there is m- 
apparent end to their sufferings. 

Questions.— When and by whom was Iielaud invaded and con 
quered ? 

What consequences followed, and when vvas,phe united with Grea'. 
Britain ? 

Wliat is .the present slate of Ireland ? 

iJrittsJi KgJcc au3 jPom'su IMgrs.stolisi. 

Q. What are the foreign possessions of Great Britain r 

A. Those of North America and the West-Inches have 
been described. Those of India and the Oriental Ides vviff 
be described in their place ; but the adjacent Isles, together 
with Malta, St. Helena, Heligoland, and the loiUol Gib 
vultar, deserve some notice in this place. 

Q. What are the situation and character of the Isle of Man ? 

A. The Isle of Man, situated in the Irish sea, is about 3# 
milejj long, and 70 in circumference. It has a population o'f 
about SO,000. The island is generally level, except the in * 
Cerior, which is mountainous. Agriculture is highly iinprov 
ed ; and the people are generally frugal and industrious. It 
is the seat of a Bishop’s see ; and contains 17 parishes. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Guernsey, Jcr.sey, Al¬ 
derney, and Sark ? 

A. They are small islands, near the coast of France, sub 
ject to their own laws ; and retain their ancient manner,s« cuV* 
toms, and language, which are Norman Fiench, 

Q. What are the situation arid character of Malta ? 

A. Malta is situated in the Mediterranean sea, near the- 
island of Sicily, and i* strongly fortified. It was visited by' 
St*.Paul, in his voyage to Rome, and then called Mehta, it 
was given to the Knights of St. John pf Jerusalem, by the 
Emperor Gharles V. in the 16th century, who took the ap¬ 
pellation of the Knights of Malta. It was taken by General 
Bonaparte, on his way to Egypt, in 1793. It was taken by 
the English two years after, and confirmed to them by the. 
p^eace of 1814. The Maltese are governed by then ovyn 
laws. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Heligoland f 

A. Heligoland lies off the mouth of the river Elbe, anti 
contains an English garrison, together with a few Danish* fish 
•'i rwifn : it fs of little- value. 




BRITISH FOREIGN POSSESSIONS. 


249 

U* What are the situation and character of St. Helena ? 

A. St. Helena, like Heligoland, is a barren rock ; i< lies off 
the coast of Africa, in the Atlantic ocean. It has been strong¬ 
ly fortified by the English, as a place of rendezvous for their 
indiu ships. It will ever be rendered memorable, by its 
having been the plage where the Emperor Napoleon was 
confined, and died. 

Q. What arc the situation and charactor of Gibialtar ? 

A. Gibraltar is a well known promontory in the south of 
Spain, on the straits which connect the Atlantic with the Med ¬ 
iterranean. It consists oi\ii great rocky mountain, running 
from north to south about three miles long, from half a mile 
to three-fourth* wide, and from 1200 to 1400 feet high. On 
the north side Is an isthmus, about 1 1-2 miles long, and halt 
as much irvad, which connects this vast mass of rock with 
the continent. The north front of the rock is almost perpen 
dicular ; the east side is full of frightful precipices ; while 
the south, beiug narrow and abrupt-, admits of hardly any pos¬ 
sibility of approach. On none of these sides has this tremen¬ 
dous mass ever been attacked. .The west front is almost as 
abrupt as the others, but on this side it is most vulnerable, 
and here are the great batteries and works of defence. The 
importance of Gibraltar arises’chic fly from its bay. which it 
of great extent, and forms a convenient naval station, being 
protected front the more dangerous winds. Gibraltar was 
first fortified in the modern style m,the reign of the emperor 
Charles V. It was taken by the English in 1704; it has 
since been repeatedly besieged, (first in 170o, next in 1727. 
and lastly in 17 79,) but always without success. The town 
of Gibraltar stands at the foot of the promontory, on the north¬ 
west side. The population, exclusive of the garrison, i- 
above 12,000, partly JRritish, partly Spaniards, Italians, Jews, 
and even Moors, all attracted by mercantile enterprise. The 
trade of the place embraces a great variety of articles. The 
support of this post is very expensive to Great Britain. Ex 
oavations of great extent have been made by.gunpowder, to 
establish communications between the different posts, and en 
able them to be relieved without a loss of lives from the ene. 
mv’s fire. 

FRANCE. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of France ? 

A. France is bounded on the N. by the British channel 
apd straits of Dover ; E. by Italy, Switzerland and Germa' 




EUROPE. 


250- 

uy;; S« by the -Mediterranean sea, and the Pyrenean mounts* 
that separate it from Spain ; and W. by the bay of Biscay. 

*t is about GOO miles long and 500broad. It contains 200,00i‘ 
square miles. 

Q. What are the civil divisions and population. ? 

A. France is divided into 32 provinces, or 86 departments, 
including Corsica. Population about 29,000,000. 

1 1 . What arc the face of tho country, soil, and climate ? 

A. F ranee is pleasantly undulated, and the face of the couiv 
try is replete with interesting scenery ; the soil is fertile, 
and the climate mild and salubrious. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The Alps and Appenines ; with mounts Jura. Cevenncs 

&& 

Q. What are the productions ? 

A. It abounds in all the various kinds ofgrain-and fruits, com¬ 
mon to the temperate zone, and produces wine^in abundance 
Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. France is more improved in agriculture, than any other 
state in Europe, except England, The vineyards of France 
are very flourishing. 

Q. What are the minerals? 

A. Gold, silver, quick-silver, copper, tin, lead, iron, and 
oa! ; also free-stone, marble, turquois, or Turkey-stone, 
ocrc, chalk, and magnesia. 

Q. What are the lakes ? 

A. France has but two lakes ; the one on the summit of a 
hill, which is unfathomable : and the other gives a thunder 
sag noise, on a slight percussion. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The "Rhine, Rhone, Seine, Saone, Garonqc, ,Loire, 
Somme, &,c. 

Q. What is the inland navigation ? 

A. The canal of Languedoc, which connects the river Gu 
tonne with the Mediterranean sea, is the longest in Europe 
it is navigated by boats of 100 tons, through a distance of 140 
miles ; it passes through a tunnel 545 feet in length. 

The canal of the centre of France unites the Saone with 
the Loire, 71 miles m length ; this canal is much used. 

1 lie canal of Burgundy unites the Saone with the Seine? 
which, when completed, will be about 148 miles. 

The canal of Picardy, connecting the rivers of France 
with the Scheldt, passes through two tunnels, the longest of 
which is about 3 1-2 miles, and 26 feet wide. 

Q. Which are tho chief towns f 

A. Paris is the capital ; it stands upon both sides of the 


FRANCK. 


261 

^eine : it is one of t*»e most magnificent cities in Europe,and 
has a population of about 700^000. Paris is the nursery of 
the arts and sciences, and was in the 9th century, the capital 
of the empire of the west; and has aspired to the dominion 
again, under several of the ambitious kings of France, pat - 
ticularl)' Francis 1. Charles VIII. Louis XII. and XIV. and 
the emperor Napoleon. Havre is the seaport of Paris, and 
the seat of its foreign commerce. Versailles is noted for 
the splendour of its royal palaces, and the residence of the 
court. 

Q. What other cities of importance are found in France ? 

A. Bordeaux is a rich and flourishing city, famous for its 
wines and brandy. Bayonne is a distinguished city, and ren¬ 
dered famous for the treachery of the emperor Napoleon, in 
seizing Ferdinand VII. and his father Charles IV. of Spain, 
and detaining them as prisoners in France, in 1809. Mar- 
sailles is the richest city in the south of France, and the cen 
tre of the Levant and Barbary trade. Montpelier is a large 
and beautiful city, famous for the salubrity of the air, and the 
resort of invalids. Lyons is one of the largest and most flour¬ 
ishing cities of France ; it is famous for its silks, &c. It was 
a theatre of distress during the insurrection, at the time of 
the French revolution, in 1793. Nantz is a rich commer¬ 
cial city, near the mouth of the Loire, famous for her brand)'. 
&c. Nantz, as well as Lyons, was rendered famous by her 
sufferings in the revolution. Rouen, Lisle and Strasburg. 
are rich commercial cities. Rheims is an inland city, fa¬ 
mous for the coronation of their ancient kings. Orleans up 
on the Loire, Toulouse upon the Garonne, are rich inland 
cities, and places of considerable trade. 

Q. Which are the great naval ports in France ? 

A. Toulon, upon the Mediterranean ; Brest, and Cher¬ 
bourg, upon the British channel ; they are also rich com¬ 
mercial cities. 

Q. What is the state of manufactures ? 

A. They are not surpassed by any in Europe, except those 
of England. 

Q. What is the state of commerce ? 

A. This is also extensive and flourishing. 

Q, What is the government of Franco ? 

A. It is a limited monarchy. 

Q. What is the religion of France ? 

A. The Roman Catholic is the established religion ; but a 
free toleration has been enjoyed sihee the revobifion, or tire 
fwentv-five years war.. 


252 


EUROPE. 


Q. What is the national power of France r 

A. France takes rank in Europe next to Great Britain. 

Q. What is the language ? 

A. The French, like the Italian language, is a mixture of 
the Latin and German, rendered the most fluent, and.best cal¬ 
culated for free, social intercourse, of any other language : it 
is spoken in all the courts of Europe. 

Q. What is their national character ? 

A. The French ari brave,‘active or sprightly, polite and 
ambitious. They have striven for centuries to excel all na¬ 
tions in literature, arts, and ajms ; and are proud of their na¬ 
tion. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. France stands unrivalled in Europe. The Sorbonne. 
m Paris, is at the head of 28 or 30 universities* which have 
rendered France illustrious in the arts and sciences. 

Q. Which are the islands of France ? 

A. Ushant, Belle-Isle, IsleofRhe, Isle of Oleron, &c. : 
but Corsica is the principal, and lies off the coast of Italy. 

Q. What is the character of this island ; 

A. Corsica is rough and mountainous ; it is noted for its 
valuable forests, fisheries and minerals ; but the people are 
poor and ignorant. Corsica is famous for the nativity of the 
emperor Napoleon. 

Q. Which are the chief towns of Corsica ? 

A. Bastia and Ajaccio ; the latter is the birth place of the 
emperor Napoleon. 

Q. What other foreign possessions belong to France ? 

A. Martinique and Guadaloupe, in the West Indies ; Cay¬ 
enne, in South America ; Goree and the Factories of the Sen¬ 
egal, in Africa ; the Isle of Bourbon, in the Indian ocean 
and Pondicherry, &c. in Hindostan. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of France ? 

A. France, in the early ages, was inhabited by numereq- 
hordes of barbarians, the principal of which were the Gauls : 
these were conquered by the Romans, from time to time, un¬ 
til they were fully subdued by Julius Cjesar, about the year 50 
before Christ, when he entered Britain. The Romans pos¬ 
sessed Gaul, a9 a province, until Rome was subdued by the 
-Gofhs and Vandals, in the 5th century. 

Questions.—W ho were the first people ©f France, and whtfj was 
their character ? 

SVhen and by wht>m were they conquered ? 





FRANCK. 


uh 

At the same time, the Franks came out from Germany 
under Pharamond, their chief, and settled in Gaul : Clovis, 
their first king, extended his conquests over the Gauls, Bur- 
gundi, and other elans, - which commenced the kingdom Of 
France, 48t>.‘ , V s >■;- \ 

Charlemagne, king of France, in the 8th and 9th centuries, 
conquered Geyma'riy,, and all the neighbouring clans, and 'ex¬ 
tended his empire into Spain and Italy, and was crowned, at 
Rome, emperor of the west, by Pope Leo Ilf. in 800. After 
the death of Charlemagne, his empire was divided among his 
Jamity, which involved Fr.aqce in Civil wars, for several cen 
turtes : and.the w£st ftfj£ffrppe, bechme a thpalre of wretph 
edness and slaughter, for more: than 500 .years Since the 
discovery, of,gunpowder, and the use of tire arms, in the 14th 
century, their v^a«s have been less barbarous and sanguinary, 
as well as less frequent f hiifthey. have continued longer. To 
recount all.this iv.tra in which France has been engaged, and 
the insurrections and massacres, with which fhe hay been 
harassed, and distressed, would‘'till volumes ; her restless 
ambitious spirit has seldom been qubet. 

France has-been careful to remember, that she was once 
mistress of the- west, and hag never ceased in her efforts to 
become so again. effect this, Italy arid Germany have* 

been the theatre of her wars, for more than 1000 years. 

Her last'effortsdo recover her ancient dominions, commem 
ced with her revolution^, in 1789, and, involved all Europe jn 
a twenty-five years war, in yVhich the emperor Napoleon ac 
quired all. the. powers of the ancient Charlemagne, with an ex 
tent of dominion mnch.gi eater.' The sum of -national power 
which France acquired in this war, far surpassed her ancient 
glory, under Charlemagne ; and the emperor Napoleon be 
came the richest,.and mbst splendid conqueror, since the day*; 
of Alexander and Caesar. , ^ 

The expedition of the emperor Napoleon into Russia, is 

When were the Ronians\expelled ? What clan commenced the kingdom 
of France ? how and when ?, ’ ■ 

Which of the kings of France became emperor of the west ? how and 
when ? . _ 

What were the consequences to Europe after his death ? 

What changes took place in their wars in the 14th century, and why 7 
What has been the character of France^enerally ? 

, When did her revolution commence, what was the object, and whe 
became the modern Charlemagne ? 

What was the comparative character of their dominions ? 

22 



EUROPE. 


2'54‘- 

the year 1812, ruined his empire ; and the battle of \\ ater 
loo, in 1815* ruined the emperor. Me became soon after a 
captive of the British, and was banished by the allied sove¬ 
reigns of Europe, to the island of St. Helena, where, he died 

in 1821. 

From the battle of Waterloo, France recovered her legiti¬ 
mate government, and has maintained, her tranquility to -thW 
time, under her former limits. 

• y ' % b s 

REMARKS. 

The Franks under Pharamorid, aiid Cjovis, began the king¬ 
dom of France'about the same time that the - Saxons, under 
Hengist -and liorsa^began th.e kmgfk)m of Enghihd. The two 
nations have grown up together as rival neighbours,‘-.and. tlte 
strife of ambition to'extend tl)eir pow ers!, Ty commerce, apd 
by conquest, has never ceased for amioment.. France avail¬ 
ed herself of the discoveries of Vasco tle^rama, in India, and 
Christopher Columbus in America, at the close pl the 15th 
century, and extended her settlements and commerce into 
those regions,, with England, and the oyher great maratime 
powers of Europe, and held a fair competitionwith her neigh¬ 
bours. This strife held a very even balance-between her, 
and her great rival, until the successes of s Great Britain, in 
the old seven years war, turned the scale against France, in 
India, and America, at the peace of Paris, 1783. Since that 
time Great Britain has gained an ascendancy, that enabled 
her to check and control the ambit ion of France', in her last 
revolution. France is no longer the iraval and commercial ri¬ 
val of Great B ritain : but France stands at-*the head of all the 
powers upon the continent'of'Ejnrope. 

What causes mined the empefor NapplcQifa'nd when ? 

When and'where did he die ? ; . r / '• 

Wbat is the present st ate of France . 3 . ‘ 4 

~~ v. v V.'' ^ . 

SPAIN. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Spain ? 

A. Spain lies upon the south-western section of Europe 
and is bounded on the N. by the bay of Biscay and the Pyre¬ 
nean mounts ; E. by the Mediterranean sea ; S by the Med¬ 
iterranean,-Atlantic, and the s-traits of Gibraltar - and W by 
the Atlantic ocean and Portugal. It is 460 miles from east to 
west, and 500 irom north to southland contains about 148 00<> 
square miles. 




SPAIN; 


255 


Q. What are the civil divisions and population?- 

A. Spain is divided into fourteen provinces. Population 

i 1,000,000. 

Q. What is the face ofthe country ': 

A. Spain is mountainous ; intersected by broken ranges, 
which give rise to several large rivers, that fertilize the rich 
vallies, and give the country a pleasing variety. 

Q. Which arc the principal mountains ? 

A. The Pyrenees on*the north,, anti the Cantabrian, which 
extend from the Pyrenees torfhe western coast, south of Cape 
Finist'erro the whole ciiaju being about 5*K) miles long. 

The mountains that extend" through the middle of Spain, 
and include the black forest, together with the rock of Gib 
rahar^are of some celebrity. • 

Q.. What are the soil and elimatfc ? » • 

A. The soil in the rallies is fertile ; the mountains are best 
adapted to grazing, and on which are fed large flocks ofsheep. 
The climate is hot, but not <ut\ry : the mountains of Spain 
give a salubrious temperature to the air in the interior, and the 
coast is refreshed by the,-sea-breezes. 

Q. What are the'prpductrons ? 

A. Spain produces Ml the various kinds ofgrain, and fruits 
of the temperate zone, and many of the tropical fruits. 

Q. What are the minerals ?. 

**' A. Gold, silver, copper, lend, quick-silver, emeralds, atne 
thyst, porphyry, and jasper ; -with, clirystal, marble, alum and 
sulphur. * 

Q. Which are the Spanish Ikies / 

A. VIajdrGa, Minorca, and Ivica ; they are thinly peopled, 
hut in general well cultivated,. Pbrt Mahon is a noted har 
hour on the island of Minorca;,the resort-of foreign ships. 

Q. Which are the principal lakes ? 

\. Lake Benfivcnui, -and Salt Lake*: in the latter, salt is 
made, by evaporation, as in tb.e West Indies. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Tagus, Duero, Lhro, G-tiadelquiver, Guadiana, Xu 
car, and Minho. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Madrid is the capital ; it stands upon the Tagus ; is an 
inland city, and was formerly rich and splendid ; hut is now on 
the wane. Seville, on the Gu ulelquiver, is one of the most 
flourishing manufacturing cities ; it is noted for its oranges. 
Cadiz, situated upon the island of Leon, on the south of Spain, 
is the great mart for her foreign commerce, and her principal 
naval port. Vaientia is a manufacturing city, noted for its 


EUROPE* 


^55 

university. Barcelona, Carthagena, Bilboa, Malaga and All- 
cant, are all cities of some note. Corunna is noted for its 
harbour, as well as the defeat of the British, under the French 
invasion, in the year 1809. Ferrol is also a valuable naval 
port. Saragossa is famous for its sieges. Granada was the 
ancient Moorish capital. Salamanca has valuable literary in¬ 
stitutions. Badajos, Murcia, Toledo and CordoVa, are among 
the most valuable ancient cities of Spain. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. The agriculture pf Spain defined from the time the 
treasures from the mine& o/Mexipo and. Peru began to flow in 
upon her ; and she has been for several centuries dependant 
on her neighbours for a supply of bread, 

Q. What is the state of eoimpercc and manufactures,?, 

A. They are as low as her; agriculture ; she suffers other 
nations to b>e her carnets, and depends upon them for her 
principal manufactures. 

Q, What-is the government ? 

A, Absolute monarchy. 

Q. What is her national character ? 

A. The Spaniards are an ignorant, indolent, haughty, jeal¬ 
ous, superstitious people, who are poor in one of the finest 
countries of Europe. 

Q. What is the national power of Spain ? 

A. It has been upon the decline since the reign of 'Charles 
V. in the I Sth century , and has now become very low. 

Q. What is the State of literature l 

A. This is also very low ; she has never became a literary 
nation ; but the mass of her population has ever.been sunk in 
ignorance. 

Q. What is the religion of Spain ? 

A. The Homan Catholic, enforced by an inquisition. 

Q. What is the character of the inquisition ? 

A. The inquisitors, or judges of the-"inquisition, are un¬ 
known ; they sit at stated periods, unless.called together up 
on some special emergency. Their place of sessions is a 
prison, as well as judicatory ; replete with racks, gibbets hod 
dungeons ; inaccessible to any but themselves, and such as 
are called before them. Their power is absolute. They sft 
in private ; and thousands are summoned before this tribunal, 
put to the most cruel torture, condemned, executed, or im¬ 
prisoned for months, for years, or for life, without even pub¬ 
lic inquiry. Silence broods over the whole proceedings of 
this tribunal ; and the dread of it overawes the nation. Their 
pimps and spies are in every family : and to be an inform^ . 



SPAIN. 


257 


against heretics, is with them deemed on act of saving grace* 
No degree of se venty is too severe ; no degree of cruelty is 
too cruel : no degree of torture is too distressing for this court 
to exercise, inorder to enforce 4he Catholic religion, and sup¬ 
press heresy, or toleration. 

History. 

Q. "What id the histoTy cf Spain ? 

A. The Gauls .Phoenicians, Grecians, Carthagenians, and 
the Romans, all possessed Spain, fh succession, from the earli- 
est a tes, down'tp.the tirne”of tlfe great Roman revolution in 
the otli century. Spain v.~as then subdued by Alarm, king of 
the Goths', and by other bafhapfOurs, tribes. The Visigoths 
became the most numerous of the barbarians of Spain, and 
claimed the dominion, about the year 467. The Saracens, or 
Moors, oven/.m Spain in Hie £th century, and built Granada 
lor their capital. V ' r r . ; . 

In the year 1236 v Ferdinand III. king of Spain, expelled 
he Moors ; but theseveral kingdoms, or states of Spain, were 
never united,- until the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, in the 
loth century". Since that time, she has been undei the do¬ 
minion of one crQwn. Under this reign, Columbus^discover- 
ed America. •'*' ‘ 

The Spanish adventurer Cortez, conquered Mexico, in N. 
America, in 1521, and the^Spanhh adventurer Pizarro, con¬ 
quered Peru, in S. America, ir> 15.40. These conquests 
opened to Spain the vast treasures of .the New World. 

The mines of America Hiled Spain with mohey, which 
inflated her natibnaUprfde, but enervated, and gradually de¬ 
stroyed her national character. 

Spain in the 16th century, under the reign of Charles V. 
who .was at the same time JSmperqr of Germany, and sove¬ 
reign of the Netherlands, pr low countries,was the richest 
and most powerful monarchy-in Europe. Philip II. his son 
and successor, by his despotic government, caused the seven 
united provinces of Holland, (the northern section of the 
Netherlands,) to revolt and shale off the Spanish yoke. Phil- 

QuEstions.— Who possessed i lie-'early ages of Europe ? 

What hordes subdued S/»ain m the-odi century ? And in the 8th cen¬ 
tury ? • , ' L 

When and by whom vere the Moors expelled from Spain ? 

When and by whom was Spain United, and what memorable event 
' then took pb^ ? 

When and under vhose reign was Spain in her zenith ? 

22 * 






258 EUROPE' 

ip, during this rebellion invaded England with the most for¬ 
midable, fleet then ever known ; the expences of which, in 
connection with the war in the low countries, and the loss of I 
Holland, greatly derringed the finances, of Spain. From, that j 
time Spain has continued to decline, 

Early in the 17 th. century. Philip 111. banished from Spain ail 
t he Morescoes, or descendants of the ancient Moors, about 
1,000,000 of hardy industrious citizens, whitfh greatly weaken¬ 
ed the national character. 

Spain was conquered by France in the year 180c?, and gov¬ 
erned by Joseph BonapartOi as king, about five years. He 
gave to Spain a free constitution, and abolished the inquisitioq, 
1812. King Joseph was expelled by the English, under the 
Duke of Wellington, in the year 18Id and'Ferdinand VII, 
king of Spain, was restored to his government. He abolished ! 
the constitution, and restored the inquisi tion.. 

The Spanish people attempted to abolish the inquisition, muL 
restore the constitution of 1812, by a revolution, in the years j 
1819—20 ; but the Holy Alliance ofEufope interfered : the 
Duke de Angotileme enterecl.Sp ijn, at thg head .of 100,000 
Frenchmen, and suppressed the revolution, in -1822. Spain 
is non) under her old monarchy , and.inquisjjton/ 

No onfe kingdom in Europe has'passed through greater chan¬ 
ges or moredistressing-scenes; than Spain; Her fields have ] 
been fattened .with human blood,Trom the earliest ag'cs, down 
tQ the present time. 

Spain has been enriched by her Ame/iGan possessions since 
the discoveries of Columbus, and theoonquests of Cortes and 
Piznrro in the 16th century ; but she i? novy deprived of the 
whole of, that we :1th, by her A npricatc colonies having be- | 
come free and independent, from the.years 18 16 to 1825. 

. 1 --—■*— t- 1 - — -——- :- 

When and under what reign did Spain begin to decline, and what 
were the causes 7 

When was Spain under the government of a jYencli kirnr, and what 
were the cqnsequences 5 

When were the liberties of Spahi restored, and by whom 7 
When did Spain attempt terecoVr her constitution of lai2,and what 
were the consequences 7 

What has been the character of SpKjn,' arid what is her present situ a- -j 


PORTUGAL. 

Q, What are the situation and extent ofPortugq ? 

A. Portugal lies upon the south west cornt-of Europe, and 









PORTUGAL. 


25# • 

'ls bounded on the N. and E. by Spam ; and on the S, andW. 
by the Atlantic ocean. I t is 300 miles long a’nd 150 brOad 
Q.. What are iTs-eivil' divisions aijii population ? 

A. It is divided into p provinces, and contains a population 
of 4,000,0(10.. , V . 

Q. What Mheflice of "tho country ? 

A. The mounlaid ranges <){ . Spain, extend into'Portugal., 
width give a rugged aspect to the country, and divide it into- 
mountains, and vnl.Nes 4 the height of land is about 3000 feet. 

Q. What are tlid cTnnafe, goil anrl prpductiojis*? 

A. The climate is mild and stdubi ious.; the soil in the 
valhes is-rich and fertile,, and the^productions the same as in 
Spain. Portugal, like.Spain, has to' buy her bread. 

Q. Which arc the principal livers 5 
A. The same as in.Spam. 

Q. Which are the chief towns.** . “ • <, 

A. Lisbon, Oporto; and Others. Lisbon is the capital ; i- 
stands at the mouth of the Tagus ;_Js a large, and flourishing 
city, with about.2<JO;GOO inhabitants it Was,destroyed by an 
earthquake in the ^e’ar 1775 ; but ha* -been rebuilt with ® 
white stone, which gives it *,} neat*and handsome appearance. 
Oporto is a flourishing commercial city, which furnishes the 
-famous Port wine. 

Q. What are the' state of agriculture, manufactures and,-commerce ? 

A, Such as iu Spain A hgribulture and manufactures are 
low, and theif commerce is carried*on by*.other nations, prin¬ 
cipally. • • . - 

Q. Which are thfc princi pal exports of Tortuga! ? 

A. Wihes^alt and vvoq-lu 
Q. What is the state of Hieraturc ? ■ 

A. There.are four£ 0 Iteges in Portugal ; one particularly 
for the -nobility ; \\military amt marine.academy, and a geo, 
graphical institution ; but the peasantry are very ignorant 
0. What is the religion ofTprtUgWp 
A. Roman Gathoi.ic*:' she has two inquisitions, 

Q. What is the government''? 

A. Absolute monarchy. ; 

Q. What is her national power ? 

A. Small; like that of Spain, 

Q. What are the curiosities ? 

A. Some ancient Moorish casfles, Roman walls, and eque- 
diicts. The church and mohnstery of Lisbon, where the roy¬ 
al family are interred, are dug out of the solid rock, with great 
taste. The chapel of St. Roch surpasses all others in Style 
and splendour, particularly in its paintings. 


EUROPE. 


£00 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Portugal ? 

A. Portugal, like Spain, was tirst peopled by-(he Gauls in 
the early cages : these were'overrun. by the Phoenicians, Car- 
th .igeciiuns* and Romans, iti -succession ; -by the last,'about 150 
years before Christ. About fire middle of the 5th century, 
the Uoinans in Portugal, were subdued by the Goths from 
•Sonin : these were subdued by the M{QJM^s or Saracens, from 
Africa, in the 0 th cA fury-, who erected Portugal into a king* 
don?,- under Alphonzo Henrrq.uez, in fl39. 

Vasco de Gama discovered the East Indies, in the reign of 
Emunuul I. ih the year 149?. Alvarez de Cabral discovered 
Brazil in the year 1500, and extended his voyage into India. 
These, two voyages commenced the- commerce' of.Europe with 
the East Indies. -... * . ^ . 

Portugal was conquered and added to Spain, under the 
reign of Philip fl. in the year. 1550’ ; . bat she; recovered her 
liberty and independence, under the duke of Brngnnza, in 
11*40. ’ - . 

Portugal was invaded by the French in 1507., but they were 
driven out by the duke of Wellington, at the headof un Eng¬ 
lish and Portuguese army, in 1811 ; and Portugal has since 
been free. 

The royal family: removed, to BrnziVat the' time of the 
French invasion, in-1 '07, and returned agmri in 102 1 . Since 
which lime, Portugal; like- Spain,dra^attainpfed to establish a 
free government by rev'oIufovY and fail edit'* 

- *■ It: ■ ■ / V , . , ^ ( • . 

. i, r n ■ . ■ ■■■■—n . 

Questions.—B y vvhaim was Portugal explored . 

What were the revolutions of Portugal down to the'year 1139 ? 

'aider what reign, and. bywhom was India di stover ed ? 

When and by whom was.feraa'b’discovered ? 

"What were the ejfeats. of the so discoveries ?, 

What were the subsequent' revolutions of-Portugal, do,'wn to the year 
1321 ? 

ITALY. 

Q.' WJiat are the situation and extent of Italy 7 - 1 

A Italy lies south of Switzerland ; is bounded on the N. 
by Switzerland and Austria; E. by the gulf of Venice; S. 
and \V. by the .-Mediterranean sea, an) France. It is about 
dO 5 miles long, and from 25 to, 400 broad. 

1 The'-king settled the government of Brazil, by a constitution, upon 
his eldest son, and the government of Portugal upon his eldest daugh¬ 
ter, and died in Brazil, before the family embarked. 





ITALY. 


261 

<T. What are the civil divisions and population ; 

A. I taly is at present divided into nine independent states^, 
as exhibited in the following fable : 


States. ’ , *. 

Sqare miles. 

Populatiafl. 

1. Kingdom of Sardinia, 

27,400 

3,994,000. 

2- Dominions of Austria, 

Id,290 

4,014,000 

2. States of the Church, 

1.4,500 . 

2,346,000 : 

4. Republic of San Marino, 

40 

7,000 

5, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, 43*6QO 

»5 618,4)00 

O. Crand Duchy of Tuscany, 

0,500 

' 1,180,000 

7. Dnehy of Partna, 

t 2,280 ' 

'377,000 

8. Duchy, of Modena, 

2,060 • 

- 370,000 

9. Duchy of Lucca, 

420 

138,000 

Total, 

1.17,090 

; 10,044,060 ^ 


Q. W iiich are the mountains of Italy ? 

A. r i lie-Alps on the noi*th, which di Vide Italy front Austria, 
•Switzerland and France,-; and the Jlppfenines^ which extend 
through the centre ; mount Vesuvius in the south, a noted 
volcano: and.mount Algid us-, famous in Roman story; 

Q. What are.the climate and^oil ? 

A. The climate. is peculiarly mild gnd salubrious, except 
the pestilential Mare'rrmia, and Pontine marshes, in the Vicini¬ 
ty of Rom© ; this in an extensive district that fs rendered al¬ 
most uninhabitable from its noxious avaj>ours. It is s;ud that 
this infected region is extending gradually, and that it has al¬ 
ready reached a part of the city of ftome, and threatens to 
depopulate it, jn time. . ' ^ 

Q. What are l^ie productions of-Italy ? - 
A. Italy yields all the productions common to the temper 
ate zone. • -, ' ' 

Which are the islands ? • ' . 

A. The Italian islands.are, Sicily, Sardinia, Malta, Corsica, 
Elba, and the Lipaji Isles ; the volcanoes of which, arc Etna 
and Strom hole. 

Q. Which a'rc the,lakes ?• 

A. MpggiojSe, Lugano,* GoftYo, <fec v j 
Q. Which dre the straits r 
A. Messina and Bonifacio., ' 

Q. Which are the principal rivers E 

A. The Po and the Tiber ; tf^e others are small. 

Q. Which ate the chief towns ? 

A. Rome, once the mistress of the world, rs nominally* the 
capital-of Italy ; but in reality is only the capital of the Pope’s 
dominions ; it still abounds with splendid monuments of Re¬ 
man greatness, such as triumphal arches, magnificent build¬ 
ings, paintings, statutes,columns, &c. particularly those oj’the 






*68 EUROPE. 

Plarilheon^Trajan’s Pillar, Vespasian’s Amphitheatrej which 
covered nearly 6 acres of ground, and could accommodate 
1(30,000 spectators to view the combats of gladiators, k. c. 
rite church of St. Peter is the most magnificent edifice in 
Europey it was begun in 1510, and finished 1620 ; is 720 
feet long. 5 r >0 broa.1, and 500 to the top of the cross. 

Q. What is the general state of agriculture, arts, commerce, arid 
Manufactures ? 

A. These are all-in a’flourishing situation. 

Q. What is the state af literature : 

A. The arts and sciences were transferred from Greece to 
Rome, before the Christian era, where they flourished in great 
perfection, until, the gr£ at revolution, in the 5th century, 
when thdy were all destroyed by the barbarians. They be¬ 
gan to revive in the 12th and 13th centuries, and have now 
recovered their anOient splendour ; particularly the fine 
arts. 

-Q. What are.the language and religion : 

A. The language, of the Italians, like thaUof the French, is 
formed from the Latin ; remarkably fluent, easy, and familiar. 
Their religiorTis Roman'Catholic', in its most rigid supersti¬ 
tions. 

Q.. What arc their curiosities ? 

A; The Italian curiosities are the remains of Roman anti- 
qtiihes, emblems of her greatness, and too numerous to be de- 
. senbedi • \ ’ 1 . 

HISTORY. 

Q. Wliat is the history of Italy ?" 

A. The history of Italy is interesting;nnd important. .‘h 
the early ages of the world, and soon after the flood, Italy, in 
common with the other parts of Europe, was settled by nu¬ 
merous hordes oT barbarians; When the Romans came into 
Italy, 1147 . years before Christ, they found the kingdom of 
Latium, and the nation of tlh^Safoincs, the most powerful of 
the Italian tribes. In what manner; or upon what terms, they 
dwelt among these people, is not known ; but a period of 
about 400 years elapsed before the Romans laid the founda¬ 
tion of the city of Rome, which was in the year 753 before 
Christ. This city flourished, and extended, its conquests oyer 
the neighboring tribes and nations; until it subdued the king¬ 
doms of Carthage and Greece : then the kingdoms of Egypt, 
of Judea, Syria, Babylon, and all the west of Asia, and’the 
south of Europe, and became the nursery of arts and arms, 
and the mistress of the world. 


SARDINIA. 


263 


About ther middle of the 4thccntury> the emperor Constan¬ 
tino removed the sCat of government from Rome to Byzanti¬ 
um, in Greece, andcalled it Constantinople. From this time,. 
Rome, or tire Roma'rr empire, began to decline. 

Rome in her turn, became a prey to the barbarians of the 
worth, the Goths-; Vandals, Allans, Huns, and Suevi, &,c. in 
the early pa: t of the 5th century ;-and in the year 450 Rome* 
was sacked.by AtRla, with his Huns, and every vestige of the 
western Rom -\i empire was destroyed,, and.the. dark ages com- 
mettcei). Thedyi-duips. of Rome assumed a spiritual sove¬ 
reignty over Ibis night of ignorance and superstition, and 
j Rome became the capital of-the etppire of the_chureh univer¬ 
sal. Under this ■ dominion-id I tho kingdom? of Europe grew 
up, until the ciommencement ofthe’ reformation under Wick- 
liffe in the 14th, and Luther-in the 16th centuries ; since that 
time the dominions of-Rome, or of the Pontiffs of the church 
universal, have been steadily .diminishing’, until they are now 
reduced almost to the limits of Italy, or even Rome herself. 

It fs probable that the number of people that have been de¬ 
stroyed in the rise and fall of Rome Fagan, and Rome Chris¬ 
tian. would - exceed the whole population of Europe at this 
day ;~.and it is generally believed that the greatest half have 
fallen under Rome Christian. ' 

Questions.— Wlren iridf by whom &as Italy first settled ? 

1 When did ther Romans first settle irulfely ■ 
i When,did they found the city of Rome* i 
What wafTthe character of this city ■r- 

Whenand by whom wds the seat of government transferred t# Byzan¬ 
tium in Gieecer *? , 

| What were the effects upon the ethpire ?. , • 

i When and by whom was the western Roman empire subverted ? 

| What spiritual poweir rose up intb'e western empire? 

I When and hy whom was this spiritual power checked ? 
i What is the comp&rative K ch^racf er,between Rome Pagan and Rome 
j -.yGhristidn ? ' V ‘ . ' ' 

Italian iStatis. 

. SARDINIA; 

Q. What portion of Italy Comprises this kingdom ?. ’ 

a! The northern section, with the island of Sardinia. 

Q. What is the face of the country upon thfe continent ? 

A. The northern, western and southern parts, arc moun ¬ 
tainous, and too rough for cultivation ; but where Sardinia 
extends into the basin of the Po, it is level and fertile. 






EUROPE 


.264 

The province of Savoy extends so far a^iong the Alps, as to 
includeMont Blanc, the highland of Europe, 16,000 feet above 
the level of the sea ; but the' plains of Piedmont are rich in 
their productions, and form a striking Omtrast. In Piedmont 
is situated the district of Prghero!., or the four Valleys, ren 
^lered famous for the. persecutions of the Waldenses, in the 
17th cenfury. 

. ' Q. Which are the chief to wns ? 

A. Turin is, the capital : it is an elegant(5iiV, and noted for 
its silks. Genoa is the most comineiHual city in Italy. Alex¬ 
andria is a strongly fortified down, in. the interior. 'Ncee. is 
one of the mosjt pleasant cities of Sardinia, amt is famous for 
the salubrity of its climate, 'and the resort ol'.farergners. ; 

Q. ..What is the st^te of agriculture, conjincrce, and manufactures 

A. These are generally flourishing. < 

Q. What is the slate of literature f 

A. The higher classes are well, informed, but the poor ar< 
ignorant; some attention begins to/be paid to their improve¬ 
ment.' . * V 

ISLAND OF SARDINIA.* : 

Q. Wliat are the situation and chat defer of this island ? 

A. The island of Sariatim is situated., about equally distant 
from Italy and Africa j possesses a mild climate, and' a fertile 
soil ; and might produce many of the trujts.ofrthe torrid zone 
if they wf>re property cultivated.;; ! 

£>. What is the face,of.the country': a , /.' ’ , • > 

A. It is level near the coast fbuf mountainous in the into 
rior. , . 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Cagliari is lhe.cap.ital, and the residence of the viceroy 
or governor. Sassafi is. a plaee of some note. 

Q. What is the character of the people ? ' 

A. The liigher classes are wealthy, v and well informed ; but 
the peasantry arfe poor and ignorant; and (heir state ofcde- 
pression renders them "indolent; The shepherds of-The 
mountains are but half civilized, and are independent in their 
laws, and habits of life. 

The,other states in the north of Italy are jiow subject to the 
House of A ustria , and'will be considered in connection with that 
empire. 


STATES OF THE CHURCH. 


2<k. 


STATES OF THE CHURCH. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of the States of the Church . 

A. The States of the Church are situated in the centre oi 
i taly, and are very iimitpd in their extent. 

Q. What are the face of the country, climate, and productions ? 

A. The country is level near the coast, but mountainous in 
the interior. The climate is mild ; and the productions such 
as are common to Italy. The pestilential Maremma, and Pon¬ 
tine marshes, extend along the coast, nearly from Naples t< 
Leghorn ; and where they, will admit of improvement, arc 
devoted to pasturage. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Rome is the capital ; it is but the shadow of what it 
formerly has been ; the tine arts still flourish. Bologna and 
Ferrara are noted for their universities. Ancona, upon the 
gulf of Venice, is a place of some trade. Ravenna, formerly 
the seat of the Exarchs is no longer a seaport. 

Q. What is the government ? 

A. An ecclesiastical despotism. The Pope and liis clergv. 
are rich ; the people are ignorant, and generally poor. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of the States of the Church ? 

A. Soon after the emperor Constantine removed from Rome 
to Byzantium, or Constantinople, in the year 330, the bish 
ops of Rome began to assume a temporal, as well as a spirit 
ual power. 

In the year 726, the bishop of Rome, in connection with 
the senate, dissolved the power of the eastern, or Greek em 
perors, (at Constantinople) and Pope Gregory II. applied U: 
Charles Martel, king of France, for support against the en¬ 
croachments of the Lombards. Charles complied, and be¬ 
came the guardian of the Church, in 731. Pepin, son oi 
Charles, by the advice of Pope Zachery, seized on the king 
dom of France, by dethroning his brother Childeric 111. 
and to reward his spiritual benefactor, marched an army into 
Italy, and humbled Astulphus, king of the Lombards, who was 
besieging Rome. Pepin repelled Astulphus ; besieged him 
in Pavia, his capital ; took possession of Commachio, and oth 

Questions. —When did the bishop of Rome dissolve the powers el 
the eastern emperors at Rome ? 

To whom did he then apply for protection} and what were the conse 
ouences ? 



EUROPE, 


i6G 

er parts of his dominions, and conferred them upon Un¬ 
church, or the successors of St. Peter : viz. the Exarchate 
of Revenna, Emilia, now Romagna ; Pentapolis, now Marc a 
de Ancona, with all the cities therein, to be held by them for* 
ever ; reserving to the kings of France, as patricians, an ideal 
superiority. Thus was the sceptre added to the keys ol St. 
Peter, the sovereignty to the priesthood, and the Popes en¬ 
riched with the spoils of the Lombard kings, and the Roman 
emperors. 

Charlemagne, son and successor of Pepin, when he was 
crowned emperor of the west, by Pope Leo 111. confirmed to 
the Church all the grants made by his father, and at the same 
time put an end to the kingdom of the Lombards, which secur¬ 
ed the peace of the Church. The foundation of the temporal 
dominions of the Church thus being laid, the Popes took ad¬ 
vantage of the ignorance of the dark ages, to exercise a spirit¬ 
ual dominion that brought under subjection all the kingdoms of 
modern Europe, and extended throughout the. world, wher¬ 
ever the Catholic religion prevailed. 

When and by whom was Charlemagne crowned emperor of the west , 
and what were the consequences ? 

ST. MARINO. 

Q. What are the situation and character of this republic r 

A. This republic lies among the Apennines, within the lim¬ 
its of the Roman states, and contains about 40 square miles : 
and a population of7000. They are a brave, industrious peo¬ 
ple, and have maintained their independence for more than 
1000 years. St. Marino is the capital. 

KINGDOM OF THE TWO SICILIES, OR NAPLES. 

Q. What portion of Italy comprises this kingdom ? 

A. The southern section, and the island of Sicily. 

Q. What is the face of the country upon the continent r 

A. It is intersected by the range of the Apennines '; the 
western section is mountainous ; but the eastern section is 
generally level. 

Q. What are the soil, productions, &c. ? 

A. The soil in the vallies is fertile, and capable of the 
highest improvements. The productions are wheat, maize, 
barley, rye, pulse, rice, cotton, flax, hemp, vines, olives, mel¬ 
ons, almonds, dates, figs, lemons, pomegranates., &c. Anri 
culture is in a low state. 



NAPLES. 


267 


Q. "Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Naples is the capital, and the most splendid and delight 
tul city in Europe ; it rises from the port in the form of an 
amphitheatre, and is extensive and spacious ; possessing a 
numerous population. The climate of Naples is the purest 
in Italy, or perhaps in the world ; but she is sunk in dissipa¬ 
tion. Bari, Reggio, and Capua,*are also cities of some im¬ 
portance. 

Q. Which arc the volcanoes of this kingdom ? 

A. Mount Vesuvius, near the city ot Naples ; mount Etna, 
upon the island of Sicily ; and Strombolo, on the Lipari Isles 

Q. What arc the comparative size of mounts Vesuvius and Etna 5 

A. Vesuvius is 30 miles in circumference ; and Etna, 180 
Vesuvius ejects lava 7 miles, and Etna often 30 miles. 

Q. What are the antiquities and curiosities-of Naples ? 

A. The ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii, two ancient 
dies that stood between the city of Naples and mount Vesu¬ 
vius, and which were buried 70 feet beneath a torrent of lava 
and ashes, that issued from mount Vesuvius, A. D. 79. These 
cities remained buried in oblivion more than 1600 years, and 
would have continued so, had not Herculaneum been acciden¬ 
tally discovered by sinking a well, in the year 1689. In the 
year 1711, further discoveries were made, and in 1738, ad¬ 
venturers became engaged in exploring the recesses of Her¬ 
culaneum, and have since cleared whole streets, and drawn 
forth from its hidden recesses, statues, vase9, lamps, &c. ; 
all of elegant workmanship. More than 1600 Greek and 
Latin MSS. have been found in Herculaneum, many of which 
have been unrolled and found legible. Discoveries continue 
to be nqnde annually. 

Pompeii was not discovered until about the middle of the 
13th century. More than one fourth of the city is now clear¬ 
ed. In Pompeii were found paved streets, theatres, temples, 
&c. ; but the houses arc generally of one and two stories only 

ISLANDS. 

Q. What aro the situation and extent of the island of Sicily ? 

A. It is separated from Italy by the strait of Messina, the 
noted Scylla and Charybdis of the ancients. It is 160 miles 
long and 112 broad : famous for its volcano mount Etna. 

Q. What aro tho soil and productions of Sicily ? 

A. The 9ame as the south of Italy. 

Q. Which aro tho chief towns of Sicily ? 

A. Palermo, the capital, was formerly a rich and flourishing 
;itv but it is now on the wane ;*it presents a delightful vie^ 



EUROPE. 


26 8 

to the mariner. Messina is a city of some note, on the straii.5 
of Messina. Catania, at the foot of the great volcano mount 
Etna, is noted for its having been several times destroyed by 
earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions ; it is now. a handsome 
city. Marsala is famous for its Sicily Madeira wine. Syra¬ 
cuse was the ancient capital, and is now of some importance 

Q. What other isles belong to Naples ? 

A. The 12 Lipari isles belong to Naples; noted for the 
perpetual volcano, Strombolo ; termed the light-house of the I 
Mediterranean. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Naples ? ' 

A. The kingdom of Naples, (the ancient Capua and Cam 
paniaof the Romans) commenced in the year 1020. The Et 
Tuscans possessed the country in ancient times, and built the ; 
cities of Nola and Capua. It has undergone various revolu¬ 
tions, Roger, count of Sicily, became the first king, in 1127. 
Pope Clement IV. a Frenchman, caused Corodin, the rightful : 
heir to the throne of Naples, to be murdered, at the age ot : 
16, and then conferred the crown upon Charles, (count oi i 
Anjou, of the royal line ot France) 126G. Charles was in¬ 
vited soon after to accept the crown of Hungary, with which 
he complied : but was murdered, by order of the Qtieen Re¬ 
gent, as soon as he was crowned : she was soon alter taken 
out of her carriage by the populace, and drowned in the river 
Boseth. 

The crown of Naples then passed into the House of Ara ¬ 
gon, under Alphonso, who united to his kingdom the island oi 
Sicily ; and the kings of Naples have since that time, held the 
title of “ king of the Two Sicilies,” 1442. 

In the year 1700, Naples was taken by the emperor Leo 
pold F. 

In 1734, the Spaniards re-conquered Naples ; and in 1736, 
Philip V. king of Spain, conferred it upon his son Don Car 
los. He in his turn conferred it upon his third son, Ferdi¬ 
nand, 1759. The French seized upon Naples, 1799, and 
compelled the king to retire to Sicily ; but they restored it 
again the same year. 

In 1806, Joseph Bonaparte became king of Naples ; but in 
1808—9, he was removed to the crown of Spain, and Naples 
was governed by the viceroy of the emperor Napoleon, until 
it was restored at the peace of 1814. 

Q. What is the history of Sicily ? 

A, Sicily was settled in the early ages of Egypt, Phoenicia 



GRAND DUTCHY OP TUSCANY, &c. 2G9 

nui Greece, and was noted for its despotic government under 
Dionysius the elder, and Dionysius the younger, tyrants of 
Syracuse, about 350 years before Christ. It was often the- 
theatre of wars, between the Carthagenians and Greeks, and 
between the Carthagenians and Romans, and vibrated between 
those rival states, until Carthage was destroyed by Scipio, 
about 146 years before Christ : it then was confirmed to the 
Romans. Since the destruction of the Roman state, Sicily 
has been possessed by France, SpaiD, and Austria ; but is now 
attached to the kingdom of Naples. 

The French were expelled from Sicily at the noted nrissa 
ere of the Sicilian vespers, in the year 1282. Every French 
Inhabitant was slain. 

Questions.— When did the kingdom of Naples commence, and what 
changes took place down to 1442 ? 

What have been the subsequent changes ? 

When was Sicily first settled, and what became the character of it? 
government ? 

What changes have been common to Sicily ? 

When and by what means were the French expelled ? 

GRAND DUTCHY OF TUSCANY. 

Q. What are tho situation and character of Tuscany ? 

A. Tuscany is bounded N. by Modena, and the States of 
the Church ; E. and S. E. by the States of the Church ; W 
by the Mediterranean ; and N. IV. by Lucca. Besides the 
country included in these boundaries there are several small 
detached territories. 

Tuscany is among the richest and most flourishing states of 
Italy. Its agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, are all 
flourishing ; and the cities of Florence and Leghorn, its two 
capitals, are among the most commercial and splendid cities 
in Italy. The city of Siena is one of the most ancient cities , 
t was built about the time of Mantua. 

Q, What island lies off the coast of Tuscany? 

A Elba, famous for the residence of the emperor Napoleon 

DUTCHY OF PARMA. 

Q. What ore the situation and character of the Dutcby of Parma? 

A. The Dutchy of Parma is bounded N. by the Lombardo- 
Venetian kingdom ; E. by Modena ; S. by a detached portion 
of Tuscany; and W. by Sardinia. The soil is fertile and 
well cultivated. Parma, the capital, has a university, 

23* 



EUROPE. 


By the treaty of Paris, in 1.814, this Datchy was give» to 
he ex-empress of France, Maria Louisa ; and on her death 
it will devolve to Spain. The revenue is £160,000. 

DUTCIIY OF MODENA. 

Q. What arc the situation and character of the Dutchy of Modena 

A. The Dutchy of Modena is bounded N. by the Lombardo- 
Venetian kingdom, from which it is separated by the river 
Po ; E. by the States of the Church ; S. E. by Tuscany and 
Lucca ; S. W. by the Mediterranean ; and W. by Parma. 
The southern part of the territory is intersected by the Ap 
ennines ; the northern part has a gentle undulating surface, 
with a fertile soil. This Dutchy is possessed in full sove¬ 
reignty by a lateral branch of the House of Austria, the arch 
Juke Francis D’Este. 

DUTCHY OF LUCCA. 

Q. What are the situation and character of the Dutchy of Lucca: 

A. The Dutchy of Lucca is bounded N. by Modena ; E, 
and S. by Tuscany ; aid W. by the Mediterranean. Two- 
ihirds of the surface of this territory are supposed to be cov¬ 
ered by defiles ; the remainder comprises the delightful plain 
around the city of Lucca, and a number of fertile vallies 
The hills are covered with vines, oliyes, &c. ; and the low 
grounds are laid out in meadows, and rich pastures ; corn s 
and various fruit9 are produced in great abundance : but silk, 
and olive oil, are the most important articles of commerce 
it was erected into a Dutchy by the congress of Vienna, in 
1815. and given to the infanta of Spain, Maria Louisa, 


SWITZERLAND. 

Q. What arc the situation and extent of Switzerland ? 

A. Switzerland is the country of the Alps, and is bounded 
mi the N. by Germany ; E. by Austria ; S. and W. by France 
It is 180 miles long and 140 broad. 

Q. How is Switzerland divided, and what i3 the population ? 

A. The Helvetic League consisted of 13 Cantons ; and 
was divided into 7 Catholic, and 6 Protestant. In 1803, the 
number was increased to 19 ; at the late pacification in Eu¬ 
rope, three others were added—total 99. Population 
*,018,252. 


SWITZERLAND. 


1 


ti. What is the climate 1 ? ^ 

A. It is as variable as the regions of the torrid, temperate. 
and frigid zones. The summits of some of the mountains are 
locked in perpetual frost and ice, whilst those of others admit 
of a mild temperature ; but many of the rallies are schorch* 
ed with excessive heat ; all this subjects them to frequerlt 
and sudden changes. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. Switzerland is rough and mountainous in the extreme. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains, and what is their eleva 

fion ? 

A. The Alp®, which give rise to the numerous mountain 
chains of Europe. Mount St. Gothard is the principal; the 
summit of which, Mont Vischiora, is about 10,000 feet above 
the level of the sea, covered with perpetus l ice and snow. 
The glaciers of these mountains are said to cover more than 
1000 square miles ; and to surpass every thing of the kind in 
the world. 

Q. What are the productions of Switzerland ? 

A. It abounds in pasturage and cattle ; and produces all the 
various kinds of grain common to Europe. 

Q. Which are the principal lakes? 

A. The lakes of Constance, Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich, and 
Neufchatel. 

Q, Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The mountains of Switzerland give rise to many of the 
great rivers in the south of Europe ; and yet the rivers of 
Switzerland are nothing more than small streams. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Berne is considered as the capital. Lausanne, Zurich, 
Lucerne and Basil, have each a college ; Scuffhausen, upon 
the Rhine, is a place of some trade. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. Switzerland supports five colleges, and boasts of a morr 
enlightened population, than any.state in Europe, 

Q, What is the government ? 

A. A confedera f ed republic,'or rather aristocracy'. 

Q. What are the character and habits of the Swiss ? 

A. The Swiss are enlightened, brave, hardy, temperate, 
frugal, and industrious ; attached to liberty, and their court' 
try, 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Switzerland ? 

A. The Swiss were subject to the House of Austria, until 
the refoowned William Tell headed his countrymen in 




EUROPE, 


grand insurrection, in the year 1308. The Swiss seized all 
the Austrian governors, and conducted them to the frontier, 
and dismissed them, with a promise never to return. 

Q. What was the immediate cause of this insurrection ? 

A. Grisler, one of the Austrian governors, ordered William 
Tell to strike off an apple from the head of his own son, to 
shew his dexterity with his bow and arrow. Tell took his 
stand to obey the command, and struck off the apple ; but hi“ 
cloak blew open and disclosed another arrow, which he had 
concealed. Grisler hastily inquired of Tell, what wa9 the I 
design of that arrow : Tell replied, “ to have pierced your ! 
heart, had I killed my son.” Grisler instantly ordered him, 
to perpetual confinement. The indignant Swiss rose in arms 
rescued their countryman, and expelled all the governors 
The House of Austria made repeated attempts to subdue the « 
.Swiss, but to no effect. 

The armies of France overran Switzerland, in the year 
1797, and she remained under the yoke of France, until the 
expulsion of the emperor Napoleon, and the restoration of 
the Bourbons, in the year 1814. Switzerland is now free. 

Questions.—W hen and by what means did the Swiss liberate then 
country from the dominion of Austria ? 

What cause led to this event ? 

When did France conquer Switzerland, and when did she recover,he 
liberty ? 

GERMANY. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Germany f 

A. Germany is bounded on the N. by the North sea, Den 
mark, and the Baltic ; E. by Poland and Austria ; S. by SwiF 
Zetland, and the Alps, that divide it from Italy ; andW. by 
France, and the Netherlands. It is 600 miles long and 500 
fcroad. 

Q,. What are its civil divisions ? 

A. Germany was formerly divided into 10 great circles, or j 
electorates, and these contained about 300 independent sove 
veigntiea, and free cities ; but by the confederacy of 1815, 
it is now divided into 39 departments, styled the “ Confeder¬ 
ation oflhe sovereigns, and free towns of Germany.” The j 
names of the States, the number of votes to which each is en* 
titled in the general assembly, ani the population of each, atv | 
given in the following table : 



GERMANY. 


Names of States. 


Austrian dominions 
in Germany, 
Prussian dominions 
in Germany, 
Saxony* kingdom, 
Bavaria, 

Hanover, 

Wirtemburg, 

Baden, grand duchy, 
Hcsse-Cassel, 
Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Iloistein and Lau- 
renburg, 
Luxemburg, 
Brunswick, 
Mecklenburg- 
Sehwerin, 

Nassau, 

Saxe-YVeirmar, 

Saxe-Gotha, dutchy. 
Saxe-Cobourg, 
Saxe-Meinungen, 
Saxe-Hildburghau- 
sen, 

Mecklcnburgh-Strc- 

IiU, 


Population 
from the 
official re¬ 
turn, 1818.' 


Names of States. 


Oldenburg, 

9,482,227 Anhalt-Dessau, 
jAnhait-Bernburg, 
7,923,43D ( Anhalt-Kothen, 
1,200,000 Seh wartzburg-Son- 

3,560, OOOj dershausen, 

1,30 >,351;Sclnvartzburg-Ru- 
1,395,463 dolstadt, 

1,000,000 TJohenzollern-ITech- 
540,000 ingens 
619,500 Lichtenstein, 

Hohenzoilern-Sig- 
300,000 mar ingen, 

214,058 YValdeck, 

209,600 Reuss-Greitz, 

Rcuss-Lobcnstein, 
358,000 Hesse-Homburg, 
302,767|Schauenburg-Lippe, 
201,000'Lippe-Detmold, 
185,682 The free townofLu- 
80,0121 beck, 

54,400 —Frankfort, 
-Bremen, 

29,706 —Hamburg. 

71,769 


Population 
from the 
official re¬ 
turn, 1818. 


217,769 
52,947 
37,016 
_ 52,454 

45,117 

53,837 

14,500 

5,546 

35,o60 

51,877 

22,25.. 

52,205 

20,000 

24,000 

69,062 

40,650 

47,850 

48,500 

129,800 


30,094,050 


The diet is permanent, and the sessions are* held at Frank 
fort, on the Maine. The members are equal in rights, but 
Austria presides. In all ordinary concerns, the eleven lar¬ 
gest states are each entitled to one vote, and the smaller states 
are divided into six classes, and,each class has one vote. 
Rut when the fundamental laws are to be enacted, and in 
some other questions of prime importance, the diet resolves 
itself into the General Assembly, in which each state has the 
number of votes mentioned in the table. The military con 
tingentof the federative body, in time of peace, is 120,000 
men. In war, the contingent is one in 100 on the population, 
making a total of 301,011, with a reserve force of one in 200. 
—The great fortresses essential to the defence of the empire. 
Mentz, Luxemberg, and Landau, are declared to belong to the 
confederation. The revenue of the confederation derived 
from the individual states, each paying a fixed sum, in proper 
tion to its population, amounted in 1813, to £18,618,000, 
























274 


EUROPE. 


Jj, . IP 

Q. What is the climate of Germany ? , I 11111 

A. It is cold in the north ; temperate in the middle ; ana 1 1 | 1( 
mild, like France, in the south. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The northern section is level ; but the southern is un¬ 
dulating, and in some parts mountainous. 

Q. Which arc the principal mountains ? . " th 

A. The Alps, the Sudatic chain, and Hartz mountains. 

Q. What are the productions of Germany ? 

A. The same as in France, and in great abundance ; the 
wines upon the Rhine are excellent. 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. Silver, copper, tin, iron, lead, sulphur, cobalt, bismuth, 
vitriol, and nitre ; also coal, fuller’s earth, porcelain clay, 
and precious stones. 

Q. Which are tho mineral springs ? 

A. Germany contains more than 1000, but those oi Aix-ln 
Chapelle, Toplitz, Carlesbad, and Seltzer, are the principal 
Q. Which arc the principal lakes i 

A. Constance and Brigetz ; the lake of Bavaria, and the 
Zirnitzer-see, that passes through remarkable changes. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Danube, Rhine, Oder, Weser, Maine, Elbe,&c. 

Q. What is the state of manufactures ? 

A. They are flourishing, particularly in their linens. 

Q. What is tho state of agriculture ? 

A. It is various in the different states ; but generally much ] 
below that of France. 

Q. What is the inland navigation ? 

A. See the several states. 

Q. What is the government of Germany ? 

A. It is a confederacy, with powers defined by the confeder¬ 
ation, an 1 in whose councils Austria, presides. 

Q. By what titles are the sovereigns of the small states distinguish = 
ed ? 

A. The sovereigns of the small states of Germany are styl¬ 
ed Arch Dukes, Dukes, Landgraves, Margraves, Princes, 

The ecclesiastical sovereigns are styled Arch-bishops. 

Q. What is tho national power of Germany ? 

A. If the physical or natural strength and resources of Ger 
many had been consolidated under one independent govern¬ 
ment, her national power would have given law to the contin¬ 
ent of Europe; but the rivalstates of Austria and Prussia, so 
far control the minor states, as to preserve a balance of rival 
interest between those two great powers, that has greatly di¬ 
minished the national power of the Germanic body, and kept 



GERMANY. 


Z <b 

it uowti. The nations of Europe hare promoted this rival 
interest, between Austria and Prussia, in order to strengthen 
the general balance of power in Europe. 

Q. What is the state of literature? 

A. I he higher classes of people possess great literal v ad¬ 
vantages.- Germany boasts of 28 universities : ofwhich Got- 
tingen, \\ eimar, Leipsic, Halle, Jena, and Heidelburg are 
* he pn ™ pa1 ’ f rmost celebrated ; the whole number contain 
J or 0,000 students ; but the poor, or lower classes of people 
aie ignorant, and without the means of instruction. 

Q. What animal is peculiar to Germany ? 

A. 1 he glutton : he is the most voracious of all animal* 
and requiros the most food. 


HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Germany ? 

A. Ancient Germany comprised a great number of'barbu- 
I ious hordes or clans, much like the aborigines of North Amer 
I !«“•, Tiiese wer ^ hardy, brave and warlike ; and withstood 
| all the power of Rome, and the talents of Julius Caesar, in 
I mpts to subdue them, in the century preceding the 

I Christian era. 


I In the year 290, the Romans were wholly expelled from 
I Germany. 

I In the year 43u, the Huns, from Asia, took possession'of 
| Hungary, and joined the German, and northern tribes, in 
I their depredations upon the Reman empire. In the year 
I 450, they sacked Rome, and before the 5th century closed, 

I ihe barbarians laid waste, and destroyed the whole western 
Roman empire. 

In the 8th and 9th centuries, Charlemagne, king of France, 
subdued the German hordes, and established a permanent 
government. In 800, he was crowned by the Pope, emperox 
I of the west, and established the feudal system in Germany 
Phis was a military government, in which the chiefs were 
styled Dukes. Princes, Landgraves, Margraves, fee. ; and 
governed their independent sovereignties ; many of which 
ontinuc to this time. 


Questions. —What was the character of the ancient Germans: 

When did they wholly expel the Romans ? 

When did the Huns first possess Hungary, and what was"their eba: 
acterr 

When and by whom was Germany first conquered, and what was h' 
character r 




EUROPE. 


'2 76 

In the year 814, Lewis I. son of Charlemagne, took the ti 
tie of king, and rendered Germany independent of h ranee. 

In the year 841, Lothario took the title of Emperor. 

In the year 899, Lewis, styled the infant, died, and the 
;amily of Charlemagne became extinct in Germany. 

In the year 912, Conrad, of Franconia, was elected empe 
ror. 

In the year 1054, the heir apparent to the imperial throne ; 
was crowned king of the Romans, by the Pope, which com¬ 
menced an immediate connection between the Papal and Im 
yenal governments. 

In the year 1273, Rodolph, ofHapsburg, was elected em¬ 
peror, which commenced the Imperial reign of the House of 
Austria. 

In the year 1338, Lewis V. dissolved the connection with 
the Pope, rendered the empire independent, by establishing 
an electoral college. In 1356, Charles IV. fixed the number 
of the electoral college, by a golden bull, to 7. 

In 1378, VVinceslaus succeeded his father, Charles IV . • 
but he became so notoriously corrupt that he was deposed in 
1399, and Robert, Count Palatine of the Rhine, was elected 
emperor. During this reign, the reformation commenced un¬ 
der John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, and the church of 
Rome began to be distracted with the grand schism oj the 
'west.. 

In 1453, the Turks took Constantinople, which put an end 
to the eastern Roman empire, and Germany became involved 
in a succession of bloody wars with the Turks, down to the 
peace of Carlowitz, 1689, when the boundaries between the 
*wo empires were settled as they now stand. 

In 1519, Charles V. kingofSpain, grandson of the empe¬ 
ror Maxamilian, was elected emperor of Germany. The 
grand schism of the west was now supported by Martin Lu¬ 
ther, which involved not only Germany, but all Europe in 

When and by whom did Germany gain her independence of France 
Who became their first emperor, and when ? 

When did the line of Charlemagne become extinct in Germany ? 

Who was first elected emperor, and when ? 

When did the heir apparent to the throne become king of the Romany 
and what were the consequences ? 

When and under whom did the imperial reigp ef Austriaxommcncft 
in Germany ? 

What changes took place down to the year 1519 ? 

What important event then took place, and under whosejroifn 
What important events followed, down to the year 1815 ? 







AUSTRIA. 


277 


the bloody controversy, to the peace of Passau, in 1552 
In the twenty-five years war of the French revolution, 

' Germany suffered more, in the loss of men, money, &c 
. by the invasions, and ravages of the French, than at any 
other period of her national existence. At the close of 
the war, in 1815, the sovereigns of Europe, in a grand con- 
[ gress at Vienna, gave a’new constitution to Germany, by 
which the whole empire was re-organized upon a new plan, 
with great and important changes. Since that time Germany 
has continued quiet. The piesent emperor is Francis Hi 
grand-s'on of Francis I, 


AUSTRIA. 

Q. What arc the situation and extent -of Austria ? 

A. Austria is situated upon tire south eastern section ot 
Germany ; and is bounded on the N. by Saxony, Prussia, and 
Russian Poland ; fc. by Russia and Turkey ; S. by Turkey, 
the gulf of Venice, and middle Italy ; and W. by Piedmont 
Switzerland and Bavaria. It is about 1000 miles long and 
700 broad, including Bohemia, Hungary, Northern Italy, and 
[ Austrian Poland. 

Q. 


. What are the civil divisions and population ? 


1 . See the following table 




Countie ». 

Square miles . 

Population 

s > 1 

f 1. Lower Austria, 

15,422 

1,832,405 

■£ J 

1 2. Inner Austria, 

8,778 

763,820 


[ 3. Upper Austria, 

•12,286 

741,319 

p 1 

[4. Illyria, 

13,508 

741,319 


5. Bohemia, 

20,922 

3,183,364 


6 . Moravia, ) 

12,122 

1,868,252 


7. Austrian Silesia, £ 

8 . Hungary, ^ 


9 . Transylvania, | 

• about 

about 

10. Croatia, y 

135,000 

11,000,600 

11 . Sclavonia, 

12. Dalmatia, J 

13. Gov. of Milan, 

8,340 

2,932,000 

14. Gov. of Venice, 

9,950 

1,932,000 

15. Galicia, 

32,521 

3,750,00# 

Total in round numbers. 

270,000 

28,000,000 


How is the circle of Austria bounded ? , , n 

It is bounded N. by Bohemia and Moravia ; h. by Hun 

24 





278 


EUROPE. 


gary ; S. by the Dutchy and gulf of Venice ; and W. by 
Switzerland. Population 4,442,700. 

Q. How is the Arch Dutchy of Austria bounded ? 

A. It is bounded N. by Bohemia and Moravia ; E. by Hun- . 
gary ; S. by Stiria ; and VV. by Salzburg and Bavaria. Pop¬ 
ulation 1,665,862. 

Q. What is the capital ? “ 

A. Vienna, situated upon the Danube. 

Q. What is the climate of Austria r 

A. It is mild and temperate throughout V the Danube i.* 
; iiever frozen, 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. It is varipus ; Austria Proper, with the kingdom ot 
Hungary, is situated within the basin'of the Danube, and in¬ 
closed by lofty and extensive ranges of mountains, and water¬ 
ed by numerous tributary streams. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? » 

A. The soil is generally fertile, and the productions such 
as are common to the north of France, -and Germany, gener 
ally. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture r 
A. It is much below that of France, 

Q. What is the state of commerce and .manufactures ? 

A. Austria has but little commerce, and her manufactures j 
fall short of her domestic consumption. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? ' 

A. Austria has eight or ten universities in her dominions 
but they are not very celebrated. ■ 

Q. What is the government of Austria : 

A. It is absolute monarchy. 

Q. What is the military and naval strength ? 

A. Land forces, 276,000 ; naval strength, 12 frigates. 

Q. What are the finances ? 

A. The national debt exceeds $400,000,000. The reve 
nue is about $60,000. 

Qo What states belong to the house of Austria : 

A. Bohemia and Austrian Poland on the. north, Hungary 
&c. on the east, and Austrian Italy on the south. (See thf 
Table.) 

HISTORY. 

Q,. What is the history of Austria ? 

A. The Dutchy of Austria had its rise under the feudal 
system, early in the dark ages, that succeeded the subversion 
of the western Roman empire, and partook in the wars that 



AUSTRIA. 


279 


distressed Eui ope at that age. The dukes of Austria entered 
" dh zeal into the several crusades-,, that distracted Europe, in 
the Ilth, 12th and 13 th centuries: Leopold, duke of Aus¬ 
tria, shared with Richard I. king of England, in the glorv of 
•their conquests in the Holy Land, in the year 11*92, 

The next year, as Richard was returning home'in disguise, 
through Austria, Leopold seized him, and sold him to the em¬ 
peror Henry VI. 6/Germany. 

The next year .Richard obtained his ransom, for the sum of 
£300,000 sterling, and returned into England. With the 
r inso.m of Richard, Henry 'built the Halls of Vienna. 

In the-year 1 £82, .Rudolph of Hapsburg was chosen em¬ 
peror, and lie annexed Austria to-the electoral college, .which 
iaid the foundation of the empire of Austria.. In 1291, Ro- 
dolph died, and in 1292,' the Aychbishop of Mentz, crowned 
Albert, duke of Austria, and, son of Redolph, emperor of 
Germany. From that time thQ oddest male heir of the dutchy 
oi Austria, became king of^the Romans, and emperor of Germa¬ 
ny. Thus the empire of the-west, which was founded by Char 
lemagne, passed into the Hoase'-of Austria, at the close of the 
13th century. This gave to Austria Rie power, not only of ex¬ 
tending her dominions, hut of forming such confederacies with 
England, and other .powers, as to regulate the, balance of power 
in Europe, down to the-commencement of the French revolu¬ 
tion, in 1789,'about 500 years. In this time, Austria had pas¬ 
sed .through a succession of wars, too numerous for the limits 
of this work, and had enlarged her dominions, nearly to their 
present extent. - 

In the year 1806, the emperor Napoleon entered Vienna 
;n triumph, and dictated a peace to the emperor of Germany. 

In the year 1809, the emperor Napoleon again entered Vi¬ 
enna. as a conqueror, and dictated an inglorious peace to the 
emp-ejor of Germany, whic.h stripped him of his Germanic 
crown* and reduced him to the powers and title of emperor of 
Austria, and. deprived him of all his Italian, as well as his south 
ern German dominions. 

» « 

U ■ KSTioNs.—When did the Dutchy of Austria commence, and what 
was its character ? . 

When, and by what .means were the walls of Vienna built ? 

When and by whom was Austria annexed to the electoral college : 
Which of its dukes became the first emperor of Germany, and what, 
were the consequences ? 

When and by whom was Vienna taken, and what were the conse 
quences ? 

. When and from what causes did Austria recover her dignity? 





280 


EUROPE. 


Austria continued in this humiliating situation until the bat¬ 
tle of Leipsic, and the expulsion of the emperor Napoleon, ir. 
the year 1814, when Austria regained her dignity, and the 
Germanic crown was restored. 

BOHEMIA. 

• vT . • • s' r * . * * 

\ " • t . ? v. , . -* . v, / 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Bohemia r 

A. Bohemia is bounded on the ; N.' by Saxony and Prussia ; 
E. by Moravia, S. by Austria Proper ; and W. by the States 
of Germany. It is about 1 60 miles long and 140 broad. ( For 
I he square miles and,population,see table , page 277.) 

Q. What is the. face of the 1 countty ? 

A. Generally level ; but' surrounded by a lofty chain of 
mountains. 

Q. Which are the principal riveis ? 

A. The Elbe rises in Bohemia, and several of the tributary 
streams of the Danube but the Muldau is th6 principal riv¬ 
er. 

Q. Which are the minerals ? 

A. Gold, silver, copper, lead, quick-silver, tin, iron, sul 
phur, and salt-petre. 

Q. Which are the chief towns? 

A. Prague is the capital, upon the river Muldau : it is a 
splendid city, and contains about 80,000 inhabitants. 

Q,. How many cities does Bohemia contain ? 

A. About 280. 

Q. What are the language and state of literature : 

A. They speak the German language, and have but one 
university ; the state of learning is very low. 

Q. What are the manufactures ? 

A. Linens, woollens, glass, silk, leather, ^c. 

Q. What is the religion. 

A. They are Catholics and Protestants, with a'free tolera¬ 
tion.' 

MORAVIA, ^INCLUDING AUSTRIAN-SIRESfA. 

Q. What state on the E, lies contiguous to Bohemia ? 

A. The Marquisate of Moravia, including Austrian Silesia. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil and productions ? 

A. P is mountainous : yet rich and productive ; and yields 
all the variety of grain common to Bohemia and Gerrranv 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

Olmutz, Brunn, and Troppau, 




HUNGARY. 


281 


V- What memorable event distinguished Olmutz ? „ 

A. The imprisonment of the Marquis La Fayette, wife and 
daughters, in the time of the French revolution. 

Q. Wftat memorable battle was fought in Moravia, in the year 1805 

A. The battle of Austerlitz, between the emperors Napo 
I ‘icon and Alexander. 

HISTORY. 

Q: What is the history of Bohemia / 

A. It was like the states dfGermany; as late as the 10th cen¬ 
tury, entirely barbarous, and mostly. Pagan ; and continued 
I to-be the theatre of distressing wars, from its early s'ettle- 
I ment, until it was annexed to the Hon.se of Austria, in the 
13th century ; since that time it has enjoyed more tranquility. 

The emperor Otho I. compelled the Bohemians to embrace 
Christianity, in the. - ^ear937. 

Bohemia was rendered famous for the reformation commen¬ 
ced by John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, in the 15th centu¬ 
ry ; soon after Wickliffe commenced the reformation in Eng¬ 
land. 

The remainder of the history pf Bohemia may be seen in 
connection with the House of Austria., 

Questions. —What is the early history of Bohemia ? when and by 
whom was Christianity introduced ? for what did it become 
famous in the loth century l 

HUNGARY. 

Q; What are the situation and extent, of Hungary ? 

A. It is bounded on the N. by the Carpathian mountains ; 
j E. by the same mountains and Turkey ; S. i y Turkey ; and 
VV, by Moravia and Austria. It is about 400 miles long and 
! 300 broad. {For the square mites, population, sec table, 
page 277.) ' • 

Q. What are the face of the country, and climate ? 

A. Hungary is cold and mountainous, on the north ; hot 
and level, on the south. 

Q„ Which are the principal mountains? 

A. The Carpathian mount* inclose the northern, and in 
j nrfrt, the eastern limit* of Hungary. 

Q, What are the productions.’’ 

A. All the varieties of Europe abound in Hungary ; with 
tobacco, and the famous Tokay wine, which is considered 
equal to Madeira. 

.24* 




EUROPE 


( m 

Q. What are its minerals \ 

A. Gold, silver, lead, iron, quick-silver, antimony, orpi- 
ment, sulphur, vitriol, marcasite, or mundjck, cobalt, salt, ! 
salt-petre, load-stone, marble, alabaster, precious stones, and 
zinnopel. ' - 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Danube, with its numerous tributary streams. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Tokay, and'Debreezen, are the capitals of Upper Hun¬ 
gary ; Presburg and Buda, of Lower Hungary . 

Q. What is their language' ? 

A. The Latin is generally spoken, with the Greek, Scla. 
vonic, and others. 

Q. What is the. religion ? 

A. The Hungarians are both Catholics anti Protestants, and 
admit a free toleration. 

Q. What is the slate of literature? 

A. The Jesuits govern their colleges, and learning is low 
the poor are ignorant. 

Q. What is the government ? 

A.. Elective monarchy, restricted to the House of Austria...! 
They give the title of king, both to male and female sove¬ 
reigns. 

Q. What is the military strength •? 

A. About 100,000. • 

Q. What are the curiosities ? 

A. A bridge over the Danube, 5 miles- long ; and a cave - 
extending into a solid rock, that - has never been explored. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Hungary ? 

A. The Huns, in connection with the Goths am! Vandals, and 
other barbarians, overran, and laid waste the western Roman’, 
empire, in the 5th century ; and under Attila their chief, sack¬ 
ed the city of Rome, about the year 450. From that time, 
through the dark ages, they were engaged in frequent and 
bloody wars with Germany, arid Austria, until the Turks sub¬ 
dued the eastern Roman empire, and took Constantinople, in 
the year 1453. After that time Hungary was under the ne¬ 
cessity of uniting with Germany, Austria, and the Christian \ 
powers of Europe, generally, to repel .the aggressions of the 
Turks ; and thus became the theatre of distressing and bloody 
wars, until the Turks were confined to their own limits, and 

Questions.— What is the general history of Hungary, from the \ 
early ages down to the present time ? 







283 


TRANSYLVANIA, &c. 

Hungary had become united to the dominions of the House of 
I Austria. Since that time, for about two centuries, Hungary 
lias enjoyed more reppse than any other Christian state in Eu ¬ 
rope. '• 

'rltASSYLVAXIA, SCLAVONIA, AND CROATIA. 

Q. What other provinces within, the limits ofHumrary. belong to 
the House of Austria ? 

A. Transylvania, Sclavonia and Croatia. 

TRANSYLVANIA. 

Q. What are the situation and cx4.ent.pf Transylvania ? 

A. It is situated on the S. E. of Hungary, bordering upon 
Turkey. It is ICO miles long, and 160 broad. Transvlva. 
nia, like Bohemia, is incased by a chain of mountains. 

Q. What are the productions of this province ? 

A. It yields corn, and-wine*, with all the productions com¬ 
mon, to Europe. * 

Q. What are its minerals ? . ■ 

A. The precious metfds, and various other minerals, 

Q* Which is'the chief .town ?. 

A. iIcrmanstadt.is the capital. 

Q. What are the population and general character ? c 

A. The population is 1 1,600,000. / The mobility are rich, 
an l the peasants •are in ignorance, and slavery. This pro¬ 
vince yields to the House of . Austria a revenue of about 
j,600,000 florins. 

Q. What is their religion ?. 

A. Like that of Hungary with a free # tpleration. 

sclavonia. • 

Q. What arc the situation and extent of Sclavonia ? 

A. It is situated on the south of Hungary, between the riv 
ers Save, Drave and Danube. It is 100 miles long and 60 
broad. 

Q. Which are the. chief towns ? 

A. Posega, the capital ; Essick, Waradan and Peter Wan- 
dim ; these were once strongly fortified against the Turks. 

Q. What is the religion ? 

A. The same as that of Hungary, with a free toleration. 

Q. What is their language ? 

A. It is the root, or basis of the languages of Hungary, Bo¬ 
hemia, Poland and Russia, as the Latin is the root, or basis, 
of the languages in the south of Europe. 


2B4 EUROPE. 

CROATIA', INCLUDING MORLACHIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Croatia ? 

A. it lies on the S. W. of Hungary ; is about 150 miles 
longhand 50 broad ; and is connected with Sclayonia. 

Q. VVliat are the face of the country, climate, soil, pioductions, and 
population? 

A. The face of the country is generally level, the soil is 
good, and the productions, such as arc common to Hungary. 
The population is about 800,000. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Carlstadt is the capital ; Fiume, and Ivostainitz, are 
handsome towns. 

, ' v r. aijjfc ‘ 

Q. What other provinces belong to the House of A ustria ? 

A. The kingdom of Illyria, and Dalmatia. 

KINGDOM OF ILLYRIA. 

Q. What are the situation and character of this province ? 

A. It is situated upon the south of Austria Proper, near the 
head of the gulf of Venice ; and includes 4he territories of 
Carinthia, Garniola, the vicinity of Trieste, Austrian Friuli, 
the canton of Cividal, Venetian 1st rib, and a part of Croatia. 

Q. How is it divided, and what is its population ? 

A. It is divided into the governments of Lav bach and Tri¬ 
este. Population is about 1,000,000. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil, climate, and productions ? 

A. The face of the country is mountainous*; the soil in the 
vallies is fertile ; the climate is mild .aid salubripus ; and the 
productions* s.uch as are common to. Austria and Hungary, 
ilydria is noted- for its mines of quicksilver, which are said to 
be the most productive.in the world. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Trieste and Laybach. Trieste was the only commer¬ 
cial port of Austria, until Venice was annexed to the empire. 

DALMATIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Dalmatia ? 

A. Dalmatia is situated upon the eastern border of the gulf 
of Venice. • It is hounded N. by Croatia ; E. by Turkey ; and 
W. by the gulf of Venice. 

Q. What is the character and population ©f Dalmatia ? 

A. The interior is mountainous, and covered with forests. 
The country near the coast is level, and produces wheat, 
corn, grapes, olives, &c.; and the people resemble the Ital- 


AUSTRIAN ITALY. 


285 


mns in their religion, manners and customs ; but the inhabit¬ 
ants of the interior are Morlachians ; rough, and half civiliz¬ 
ed. The population is about 350,000. 


AUSTRIAN ITALY. 

Q. How is Austrian Italy bounded ? 

A. It is bounded N. by Switzerland and Austria ; E. by 
Carniola ; S. E. by the Adriatic ; S. by the States of the 
Church, Modena, and Parma ; and \V. by Piedmont. 

Q. llow is Austrian Italy divided i 

A. Into ihe governments o,l Venice and Milan. (Seethe 
following table.) 


Government of Venice. 


Delegations. 

Sq. m. 

'Pop. 

Venice 

620 

427,000 

Padua 

860 

270,000 

Verona 

1,330 

.285,OoO 

Vicenza 

950 

311,000 

Treviso 

1,310 

295,000 

Udina 

2,880 

269,000 

Belluno 

1,460 

125,000 

Kovigo 

540 

63,000 


9,950 

1,932,000 


Government of Milan. 


Delegations^ 

Sq. m 

Pop. 

Milan 

■ 670 

427,000 

Como 

1,230 

299,000 

Pavia 

320 

117,000 

Lodi 

390 

141,000 

Cremona 

680 

205,000 

Mantua 

880 

214,000 

Brescia 

1,200 

306,000 

Bergamo 

1,700 

292,000 

Sondrio 

1,270 

81,000 


8,340 

<2,882,000 


9,950 

1,932,000 


Total in Austrian Italy 
in 1819, stated at. 


13,290 4,014,000 

4,121,660 


VENICE. 

<2. What are the situation and character of the state of Venico ? 

A. The republic of Venice is situated at the head of the 
Adriatic sea, orgulf of Venice ; it took the lead in commerce, 
of all the cities and states of Italy, in the 11th, 12th, 13th 
and 14th centuries, at the time of the crusades ; and her cit¬ 
izens became the carriers between the cities of Tyre in Asia, 
1 Alexandria in Egypt, and the states of Europe. The state or 
republic, soon became enriched by this commerce, and took 
I the lead in Europe, in wealth, arts, and splendor. 

Q. What is the capital of this republic ? 

A. The city of Venice ; it stands upon 72 islands, at the 
bead of the gulf of Venice, which are connected by 50bridg- 
I os. The city is built upon spiles, like Amsterdam, and many of 
its streets serve as canals ; particularly the main-street, which. 












EUROPE. 


£8 <3 

extends through the city. It is one of the great commercial 
ports of Austria. 

The prosperity of the republic excited the displeasure oi 
the Roman Pontiff, Julius II.; and he formed a grand coalition 
of the neighboring potentates against her, styled the league ot 
Cambray, about the first oi the 16th century. Julius threw 
his keys into the Tiber ; drew his sword, and entered into 
the confederacy. Venice sued for peace, and obtained it, by 
concessions ; anti the league was turned against Louis XII. 
king of France. 

After the discovery of the mariners compass, about the first , 
of the loth century, Venice began to decline, and the com¬ 
mercial states of Europe began to rise. Venice continued to v 
decline, until she was annexed to the House of Austria, at the 
close of the 18th century. 

MILAN. 

Q. What is thq situation of the Dutchv of Milan? 

A. The Dutchv of Milan is delightfully situated in the 
north of Italy. 

■Q. What are the face of the country, soil,and productions ? 

A. The face of the country is. mountainous, except iu the ! 
Ms in r,f the Po, ;:r,d near the Adriatic. The soil is remarka¬ 
bly fertile, and produces all the variety of grain and fruits, 
common to the temperate zone. 

Q. What is the capital of this Dutchy ? 

A. Milan ; it is one of the richest and most splendid cities 
of Italy, in commerce, arts and manufactures. 

Q. What other city of distinction, in the ancient kingdom of Lonir i 
hardy, belongs to the House of Austria ? 

A. Mantua,: this.city was built in the time of the Romans; 
destroyed in the. 5th century y and re-built soon after the first i 
crusade in the 11th century ; and is famous for the birth place 
of the ancient poet,. Virgil. Mantua, like Milan, has been a I 
city of sieges in the .vars of Italy : they were taken by gen¬ 
eral Bonaparte, in the year 1797 : re-taken by the Austrians 
under general Suvvarrow, in 1.799, and confirmed to Austria, ! 
ah the peace of 1814. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. It is generally good. 

Q. What is the state of literature and the arts ? 

A. There is no portion of Europe where literature and the i 
arts have been carried to "higher perfection, than in the .Mi-1 
btnose ; arid they flourish generally in Austrian Italy- 

Q. What is the religion ? 

V. The Roman Catholic religion is the principal. 



AUSTRIAN POLAND. 


Q. What is the government : 

A. It is subject to the Mouse of Austria, and governed hv 
viceroy, who is one of the imperial family. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Austrian Italy .? 

A. Austrian Italy has been one of the greatest theatres jot 
action in Europe ; and embraces the whole field of history, 
both ancient and modern. (Seethe history of Rome.) It was 
first*settled bv barbarians, like the other parts of Europe. 
The Gauls built Milan, about 400 years before Christ. It 
was conquered by the Romans about 200years before Christ, 
and formed a splendid section of the Roman empire. ltwn« 
conquered by the Huns, and other barbarians, in the 5th cen 
tury. and was principally included in the kingdom of the Lom¬ 
bards, until that kingdom was overthrown by Charlemagne 
who gave it to the Pope, at the commencement of the 9th 
century. 

This country, in common with the north of Italy, has been 
the theatre of almost all the wars in the south of Europe 
from the league of Cambray, in the early part of .the 16th 
century, down to,the present time. 

The Dutchy of Milan has vibrated between the kings of* 
France, and emperors of Austria, from the time of Charles 
VIII. king of France, in the 15th century, to this time ; and 
it is nowin quiet possession of Austria; 

Question.— What is the general history of Austrian Italy, from the 
early ages down to the present time ? 


AUSTRIAN POLAND, OR GALICIA. 

Q. Which are the Austrian provinces of Poland ? 

A. Galicia, Lodomeria, a part of Little Poland, Podolraand 
Bukowine. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil, and productions ? 

A. The face of the country is covered with mountains, and 
extensive plains, and forests ; the soil is rich, but not very 
productive. 

Q. What are the minerals? 

A. The precious metals, and other minerals are found here 
butThe salt mines of Wielitzka, are among the wonders of the 
world. 

Q. What is the extent of these mines ? 

A, They extend several miles ; are of great depth, and 



283 


EUROPE. 


peopled with a race of miners, who dwell there, and enjoy 
their own religion and society, with their little villages and 
churches. Annual products, 600,000 quintals. 

Q. What is worthy of notice in these mines ? 

A. In one of them, are found two rivers : the one fresh, 
and the other salt. 

Q. When was this division of Poland confirmed to Austria ? 

A. By the grand partition between Austria, Prussia and 
Russia, in the year 1795 ; and by the congress of Vienna in 
1815. 

Galicia bears the title of kingdom, and is governed by a 
viceroy, who resides at Lemberg. Population 3,750,000. 


PRUSSIA. 

Q. Which is the next great power of Germany ? 

A. The kingdom of Prussia. 

Q. How is this kingdom formed ? 

A. Prussia occupies the north of Poland, and a great part 
of the north of Germany, consisting of two parts, entirely sep 
arated from each other. The eastern part forms the main 
body of the kingdom, and comprises the first seven provinces 
in the following table ; the western portion lies in the west 
of Germany, on the Rhine, and includes the three last provin¬ 
ces. It is 800 miles long, and from 70 to 300 broad. 

Q. What are the civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 10 provinces j see the following table : 


Provinces. 

Sp. miles. 

Pop. 1817. 

Chief-Tou- ns. 

East Prussia 

15,115 

870,000 

Konigsberg. 

West Prussia 

10,000 

580,000 

Grumbinnen. 

Brandenburg 

14.939 

1,200,000 

Berlin. 

Pomerania 

12,363 

680,000 

Stralsund. 

Silesia 

14,861 

100,000 

Breslau. 

Posen 

11,261 

790,000 

Posen. 

Saxony 

8,492 

1,180,000 

Magdeburg. 

Westphalia 

) 9,565 

1,000,000 

Munster. 

Juliers-Cleves-Bcrg 

V 3,639 

930,000 

Cologne. 

Lower-Rhine 

> 6,432 

1,000,000 

Aix-la-Chapelle 

Total 

104,656 

10,330,000 



The Swiss canton of Neufchatel, (population about 50,000 ; 
acknow ledges also the sovereignty of the House of Branden¬ 
burg. 

Q. What are thfe face of the country, climate, and productions of 
Prussia ? 

4. The face of the country is generally level ; the climate 




PRUSSIA. 


is mild, except in the eastern parts adjoining Russia ; these 
are cold. The productions are such as are common to Ger 
many. 

Q. Which arc the principal rivers ? 

A. The Vistula, Elbe, Oder, Niemen, and Pregel. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Berlin is the capital of Prussia ; Breslau, Konigsburg 
Posen, Potsdam, Halle, Magdburg, Frankfort, Munster, Co 
logne, and Aix-la-Chapelle, are places of great distinction 
Potsdam is noted lor its magnificent palace ; Magdenburg foi. 
its fortifications, and Frankfort for its manufactures. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. It is^vanous in the different parts of the kingdom ; but 
in general?not very flourishing. Prussia exports some grain 

Q. What is the state of manufactures ? 

A. Manufactures are more flourishing than agriculture ; 
but principally confined to the large cities. 

Q. What is the commerce 

A. Prussia has but little commerce, and this is confined t<- 
a few commercial cities. 

Q. What is the state of literature? 

A. Prussia supports six universities ; and the higher ordei> 
of the people are well informed ; but the peasantry are both 
poor and ignorant. 

Q. What is the religion of Prussia ? 

A. In German Prussia, the inhabitants are mostly Luther 
ans ; and in Polish Prussia, chiefly Catholics. 

Q. What is the government of Prussia ? 

A. Absolute monarchy. 

Q. What is the military strength of Prussia* ? 

A. The crown of Prussia generally supports about 200,001> 
foot, and 40,000 horse. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Prussia ? 

A. About the first of the 14th century, the knights of the 
Teutonic Order seized on the city of Dantzic, and purchased 
Pomerania, of the duke of Brandenburg, which laid the 
foundation of the kingdom of Prussia. 

About the first of the 18th century, the duke of Branden 
burg, became grand master of the Teutonic knights, and an 
nexed Polish Prussia to his dominions in Germany 4 
and Loui9 XIV. king of France, conferred upon him the title 
of king, to express his approbation of the measure ; and he 
commenced the dynasty of the House of Prussia, under the 
title of Frederic L 


2h 



290 


EUROPE. 


In the year 1713, Frederic I. was succeeded bv Ins son 
Frederic William, under the title of Frederic 11. He was a 
wise and prudent prince, who had a steady eye upon the best 
interest of his kingdom ; to secure which, by the most rigid 
economy, he kept an army of 60,000 men, in time oi peace, 
and laid up in his treasury a very great sum, as a permanent 
fund. 

In the year 1740, Frederic II. was succeeded by his son 
Frederic III. who, like Alexander ofMacedon, was heir to a i 
wise and prudent father, and knew equally well how to im¬ 
prove the inheritance. Frederic III. found .a full treasury, 
and an army trained to his hand. Lewis XV, was then upon 
the throne of France, and Charles VII. of Bavarfa, upon the 
throne of Germany ; and Maria Theresa, queen of Hungary 
upon the throne of Austria. 

In 1741, the king of Prussia commenced an attack upon the 
province of Austrian Silesia, and made himself master of Bres¬ 
lau, its capital, which led to a war with Austria. The king of , 
Prussia was supported by Lewis XV. king of France, who 
sent their armies into Austria and Bohemia, at the same time, 
under a joint confederacy, to divide the Austrian dominions. 

In 1742, the king of PrUssia ; ebtained. of tRe empress, by the 
treaty of Breslau, the cession of Upper and Lower Silesia, 
with the county of Glatz, and took a neutral stand in the war. 
This treaty was confirmed by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle 
between France add Austria, in the year 1748.. This proved 
an important acquisition to Prussia. , 

In the year 1755, France and Austria entered into a con I 
federacy to divide the dominions of the king of Prussia. 
Francis I. ofLorrain, husband of Maria Theresa, was then 
upon the throne of Germany, in right of his wife Charles j 
VII. having died in the year 17 45. 

The king of Prussia anticipated the views of France and 
Austria, and marched at the head of -a powerful army, into Bo- j 
hernia, and began the waV. This movement opened upon 1 
Prussia the old seven yearsAvar, in which Spain, Swed.en,. | 
Denmark, and Russia/became .confederates with France and i 
Austria, to divide the dominions of Prussia. Great Britain 
supported the king of Prussia through the war; and at the 
peace of Paris, 1763, he retained all his possessions^ 

In the year 1795, the king of Prussia, then FredericIV... 
the emperor of Russia, and the emperor of Austria, made war 
upon Poland, arid divided: the kingdom between them. Thi £ 
gave another important acquisition of territory to Prussia. 



PRUSSIA. 


291 


In the year 1806, the king of Prussia, Frederic V. confed- 
crated with the emperor of Russia, ancl the king of Great' 
Britain, against France; the emperor Napoleon entered 
Prussia with a powerful army, and overran the kingdom ; and 
in 1807, he humbled the king of Prussia’, by the peace of 
nisiR in which Napoleon assumed the style t)f conqueror. 

In 1812, the king of Prussia joined the confederacy against 
Russia, and furnished the emperor Napoleon with his quota 
of troops, Szc. to t ike Moscow and Petersburg!]. 

in 18|3, the kinr, of Prussia confederated with the powers 
ol Europe against France ; defeated the emperor. Napoleon in 
the battle of Lelpsic ; took him prisoner in Paris, and banish- 
ed him to the island of Elba, May, 13 14. 

Jn the ycar‘1815, the emperor Napoleon, who had recov 
ered his throne, met the Prussians and English, at the battle 
of Waterloo. Napoleon w::s beaten,' and fled into France, 
where he-resigned his crown to his son, and soon after deliv¬ 
ered himself up to. the captain of an English ship of war. 
The allies, in a congress at Vienna, banished him for life, to 
the'isle of St. Helena. 

In 1815, the congress of Vienna confirmed to the king of 
Prussia the partitions of Poland, in 1795, with a reduction of 
23,000 square mites. th > table under Poland.) 

Questions.-— When and by vhorn was the kingdom of Prussia 
founded ? * 

When and by whom was it annexed to Germany, and under what 
title did the dynasty commence ? 

What were the characters of Frederic II. and Frederic III. and when 
did they comiuonco their reigns,.? 

When did Frederic HI. commence war. with the House of Austria, and 
who were upon the thrones of Austria, Germany, Bavaria, and 
France at this time ? 

Who became the Prussian ally in the war, and what was the result? 
What war followeiPthc peace of Aix-la-Chapellc ? who were thobef 
* ligerents ? what was the objeet, and what was the result ? 

When and by whom was Poland divided ? 

What confederacy was formed in 1800, and what was the result ? 
What confederacy was formed in 1812, and what was the object ? 
What, confederacy was formed in 1813, and what was the result? 
What were the memorable events of 1814 ? 

Q. What other important sovereignties belong to the Germanic 

body ? 

A, Saxony, Bavaria, llanover, Wirtemburg, Baclen, Bruns¬ 
wick. Mecklenburg, Hesse-Cassel, Anhalt, and the Hans* 
towns, or Free Cities. (See the table of Germany, page 273.) 




EUROPE. 


i$2 

SAXONY. 

Q, What are the situation and extent of the kingdom of Saxony j 

A. Saxony lies N. W. of Bohemia, and S. ol Brandenburg^ 
in the eastern section of Germany, it is 75 miles long and 
SO broad ; and contains 7,476 square miles. 

Q. What are the climate and general character of Saxony ? 

A. The climate is mild ; the northern parts are rich and 
fertile ; and produce the various kinds ot grain common to 
Europe ; and the southern parts are rich in minerals. Great 
improvements have been made in the arts and manufactures 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. Silver, tin, bismuth, manganese, cobalt, &,c. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? . 

A. Dresden is the capital; a city strongly walled and forti¬ 
fied ; and celebrated for its literature and manufactures ; es¬ 
pecially porcelain. Leipsic is famous for its great fairs, and 
for the defeat of the emperor Napoleon, in the year 1813. 

Q. What are the population and revenue ?■ 

A. The population in w 1818, was about 1 , 200 , 000 ; the | 
revenue was.estimated at £850,000 sterling. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. It is very flourishing ; the universities of Leipsic and 
Jena, are of great celebrity ; common schools have become 
general, and the poor ajre well instructed. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What historical facts are worthy of notice in Saxony ? 

A. Saxony was taken by Charles XII. king of Sweden, in , 
the year 1706 ; and Frederic Augustus, the elector or duke, 
then king of Poland, was deposed from the throne of Poland,, 
and Stanislaus Leczinski was crowned king of Poland. Saxo¬ 
ny was the general theatre of the Prussian seven years war of 
1756 to 1763. 

Q. What memorable fields of conflict are found in Saxony ? 

A. The field of Lutnez, rendered famous by the death of 
Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden, in protecting the Protes¬ 
tant cause in Germany, 1632 ; and the field of Leipsic. 

Questions.— When and by whom was Saxony taken ? when and of j 
what war did it become the theatre ? 

What memorable fields of action are in Saxony, and why 3 

SAXON STATES. 

Q. Which are the Saxon States ? 

A. Saxe-Weimar, Saxe-Gotha, Saxc-Cobourg, Saxe-Mein 



HANOVER. 293 

nngen,and Saxe-llildburghausen. (See the table ofGcr- 
tnany, page 273.") . 

Q What are the situation and character of these states? 

A. They are a collection of small principalities that lie con¬ 
tiguous to Saxony, oil the south-west, and south of Prussian 
Thuringia ; they are so small, and so nearly resemble Saxo¬ 
ny, and the adjoining states, that it is needless to give them a 
particular description. They have, each a capital of their 
own name. Weimar is celebrated for'its valuable library. 

Jena, one of the principal towns, holds a university in com¬ 
mon with the Sirxon States, which is much celebrated. It is 
also famous for the battle of Jena, which commenced the 
Prussian war, in 1808, and in which the emperor Napoleon 
was victorious. PrinceTewis of Prussia-\vas killed. 

Q. What other s. 31 all states are found in Germany ? 

A. ReusV-Greitz, Reuss Lobenstein, Schwartzburg-Rudol 
stadt, and Schwartzburg-Sonderhansen ; but they, like the 
Saxon States, are' too,small to ne£d a particular description : 
and t]o not present any one featdr^ worthy of particular re 
mark-. ' ; 

HANOVER. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of the kingdom of Hanover 

A. Hanover lies on the N. W. of Germany ; E. of the 
Netherlands ; aru \V. of Brunswick and Brandenburg; and 
extends to the. sea,^embracing, nearly the whole extent of the 
river W.eseV. (Sec. the atlas.) It contains 14,600 square 
miles. •. 

Q. What arfe the ch il-divisions^ and population ? 

A. I Lis divided into-Id proyjucjes, and contains a popular 
; >0 of 1 , 303 , \ 00. ‘ -.V' . ■. . 

Q. What is the general'character of tins kingdom ? 

A. The face c!'U>e country .is variable; interspersed with 
fertile.plains* and barren heaths, but not mountainous. The 
climate is also very variable, hot in summer and cold in win¬ 
ter. The Hgrtz mouiitains,in the southern section, are rich 
in minerals. 

Q. Which arc the chief towns * 

A. Hanover is the capital ; Gottingen is noted for its .uni¬ 
versity, as being one of the first in Europe ; Ernden is the 
principal coiiimercial port, 

Q. What is the state of commerce, agriculture* and manufactures? 

A. These, taken together, arc very inconsiderable ; but 

are improving. 


>94 


EUROPE. 


Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. Literature has been very low among the middling, of 
tower classes of the people, but is rising ; schools are becom 
ng common. 

Q. What is the government ? 

A, It is governed by a viceroy from the kingofGreat-Brit- 
HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Hanover ? 

A. Hanover held its own rank among the states of Gci 
•many, until the death of queen Ann, of England, in 1714. At 
ihattime, the elector of Hanover was called by the English 
nation, to fill the throne of Great Britain, under the title of 
George I. but he retained his electoral powers in the Ger¬ 
manic body. 

At the congress of Vienna, in 1815, Hanover was erected 
into a kingdom, with a very considerable addition of territory 
The king of Great Britain is king of Hanover, and the govern 
ment is conducted by a viceroy. 

BRUNSWICK, OLDENBURG, AND OTHER SMALL STATES. 

Q. What are the situation and character of the Dutchy of Bruns 
‘Oiek ? 

A. Brunswick is situated upon the rivers Ems and Weser 
is nearly surrounded by Hanover, and is intersected on the 
south by the Hartz mountains. The other parts are under 
-good cultivation ; and the Dutchy is generally flourishing. 

Q. What is the climate ? 

A. It is mild and salubrious. 

Q. What arc its minerals ? 

A. That section which lies within the mountains, abounds 

minerals. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Brunswick is the capital ; and is particularly noted for 
tits fairs. Wolfenbuttel, the former residence of the dukes, is 
celebrated for its castle. 

Q. What is the style of its sovereign ? 

A. Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Oldenburg ? 

A. It lies within the western section of Hanover : is a low 
country, like Holland, interspersed with marshes, and sand 
barrens ; and is not very productive. 

Q, What are the principal sources of support f 
A. Grazing and Ashing, * 



GERMAN STATES. 


295 


C^. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Oldenburg is the only town of any note in the Dtitchy ; 
it is strongly fortified, and is the cradle of ail the royal families 
in the north of Europe.’ 

Q. What are the situation and character of Lippe-Dclmold , and 
Uppe-Schauenburg ? 

A. They lie south of Hanover, upon the river Weser, and 
contain nothing ol importance that deserve notice. Dctmold 

the capital of the principality of Detmold. 

Q. What other small states lio in the north-urst of Germany ?, 

A. Laucnburg and Holstein. (See the atlas.) These slates lie 
between the Elbe and Baltic, and are owned by the king of 
Denmark. 

Q. What faef cities are there in this territory 

A. Hamburg and Lubeck : the former is an ancient com¬ 
mercial city, and has the most extensive trade of any city in 
Germany. Lubeck is situated upon a river that divides Hoi* 
stein from Lauenburg, and derives its trade from the naviga¬ 
tion of the Baltic. (See the atlas.) It formerly took prece¬ 
dence among the cities of the Hanseatic league, and was the 
seat of their councils. 

DUTCIIIES OF MECKLENBURG. 

Q. W T hat other states are situated in the north-west of Germany ? 

A. The Dutchies of Mecklenburg-Scfowcrin , and Mecklen- 
burg-Strditz. 

Q. W T hat is the character of these Dutchies ? 

A. They are, like Oldenburg, low and undulating; and in¬ 
terspersed with swamps and sand barrens, or covered with for¬ 
ests. Agriculture is their chief employment; and even this 
does not flourish. 

Q. Which are their capitals ? 

A. Schwerin and Strelitz. 

PRINCIPALITY OF ANHALT. 

Q. W T bat are flic situation and character of this principality i 1 

A. It is situated in the circle of Upper Saxony ; and is on 6 
of the most illustrious principalities in Germany. 

Q. How is it divided ? 

A. Into Anhalt-Uessau, Anhalt-Bernburg, and Anhali-Koth 
ern ; subject to three independent princes. 

Q. What are thoface of the country, soil and productions ? 

A. The face of the country is level ; the soil fegbrferhlly 


EUROPE. 


£9G 

good, and produces all the various kinds oi grain antyruits- 
common to Germany, with some tobacco. 

Q. Which are its rivers l 

A. It is watered by the Elbe, ambits tributary stream?. 

Q. What is its capital ? 

A. Anhalt. 

Q. What arc its population and revenue ? 

A. Its population is about 100.000; and its-revenue* _i« 
about GOOjOOO rix dollars. 

HESSIAN STATES. 

Q. Whieli ttfe the Hessian States; and how are they divided : 

A. Hesse-Casse], Hesse-Darmstadt, and Hesse-Homburg. 
They are situated south of Hanover, and near the borders of 
Western Prussia. 

Q. Which arc the chief towns ? 

A. Cass el, Hanau, Marburg, Pulda, Darmstadt, Mentz. 
Worms! and JlonVburg. These are all rich and flourishing 
towns. - •• ■ - . ■' • . 

Q. AVhat Jfe worthy of notice as a historical trait of Xlesse-Cassel ? 

A. The prinCe of Hesse-Cassel sold 15 or 20,000 of his ! 
subjects to the king of Great Britain, who. served against ; 
America in the war of.the revolution. 

■ y , 

COUNTY OF WALDECK. 

Q. How is this state situated, and what is itsliharacteT ? 

A. It is situated among the Hessian States ; is very small, 
and requires no particular description. 

- " • J. -- V ■; r ~ " _ .*’/ ' ’ V ; ' l 

hans-towns, on cities of the Hanseatic league. 

Q. By what other name are th.es s ci.lios distinguished? 

A. They are generally tfe.rmefl'Free frnperpaKcities. 

Q. Whieli is the largest ci ty of this league-? 

A. Hamburg* the first com.mereial'city in Germany. 

i Q. 'What gave rise to this league ? j 

A. From the--death of Frederic II. emperor of Germany, 
in the.year I2bO, great discord and factions arose in the em 
pire, under the reign ofhis son Conrad, who died in the year 
125G. From -this time factions and civil wars continued to 
distract the empire, down to the year 1273, when llodolph. 

®f Hapsburg,Was elected emperor, who laid the foundation 
of the House of Austria. 

Dunng this interregnum of 17 years, Germany was without 
a head. ;.nd almost without' law.; all was anarchy, discord, 
mu] conform.To regulate trade and secure property, the 



BAVARIA. 


297 


commercial cities of Lubeck, Cologne, Brunswick, and 
Dantzic, formed a municipal kind of government, and united 
tor their defence against the great lords, by a famous associa 
lion, called the Hanseatic League ; and these towns were af¬ 
terwards joined by 90 others, belonging to different states, 
which formed a kind of commercial republic, that continued 
down to 1630, when it was dissolved. Four towns only re 
main, viz. Hamburg, Bremen, Lubeck, and Frankfort. 

POMERANIA. 

Q. IIow is this Dutchy situated, and what is its character ?* 

A. Pomerania lies upon the shores of the Baltic, in Upper 
Saxony ; it is 60 miles long and 13 broad. 

Q. How is it divided ? 

A. It is divided into German and Swedish Pomerania. 

Q. How is Swedish Pomerania divided ? 

A. It is divided into the county of Stralsund, with Stralsund 
for its capital ; and the principality of Rugen, which compris¬ 
es the island of Rugen; the principality of Bath, 10 miles 
long, and 6 broad ; also the counties of Glutzhow, Barony, 
and Wolgart ; all comprising a population of 160,000, with a 
revenue of 240,000 rix dollars. 

The whole Dutchy of Pomerania now belongs to Prussia, 
with a population of 670,00 >. It exports corn, cattle, tim¬ 
ber, wool, flax, and fish. 

Q. Which are the states of Southern Germany 

A. Bavaria, Wir tern burg, and Baden. 

BAVARIA- 

Q. What are the situation and extent of the kingdom of Bavaria 

A. Bavaria lies upon the Danube, with Austria anti Bohe¬ 
mia on the east and south ; Wirtemburg and Baden on the 
west ; and the small German states on the north. It is about 
250 miles long, and 120 broad. 

Q. IIow is Bavaria divided, and what is its population ? 

A. It was formerly divided into Upper and Lower Bavaria, 
and the Palatinate ; but it is now divided into 8 circles,By 
the new constitution of Germany, of 1815. Population 
3*600,000. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. Two branches of the Alps extend into Bavaria ; one is 
called the Black Forest, the other Alp ; which, with the Alp* 
of Switzerland, give rise to the river Danube. 


EUROPE. 


;yg 

Q. What arc the face of the country, soil and productions J . 

A. The face of the country in Upper Bavaria is mourn 
famous. : but it is level in Lower Bavaria. In the latter, the. 
soil is good, and yields all the productions common to Europe. 

Q. Which are the chief towns? . 

A. Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is a handsome city, but 
formerly full of beggars. Ratisbon is commodiously situated 
upon the Danube, and a place oi some trade. Augsburg was 
rendered famous for the league of Augsburg, in the time ot 
the reformation, in the 16th century. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture, arts, manufactures, commerce 
and literature ? '* _ 1 : 

A. They are all low, but rising ; Bavaria has one universi¬ 
ty, and an academy of sciences ; the Bavarians are better sol¬ 
diers than scholars, 

Q. What is the government ? 

A. It is absolute, and hereditary. 

*Q. What is the military force in time of peace : 

A. About 40,0b*V 

Q. What is the revenue ? 

A. About £2,600,000. 

What is the religion ? . 

A. Roman Catholic, but a free toleration is now enjoyed. 

Bavaria has beeno rival state to Austria, and given several 
emperors to ihe Germanic foody. 

WIRTEMBERG. 

Q. What are tffc‘situation and character of the kingdom of Wh> 
te in berg ? •' *' •/' . • '. . 1 . 

A. Wirt embers; lies on the south-western section of Ger¬ 
man}', between Austria and Baden. It is both mountainous 
and populous. It has a population of 1,395,463 ; and a re 
venue of about 1,500,000 florins. 

Q. Which are the chief towns 5 

A. Stuttgard is the capital ; Ulrn and Tubingen, are large 
cities ; the latter is noted for its university, and law school. 

Q. What arc its agriculture, manufactures, climato and productions : 

A. Its agriculture and manufactures are flourishing, and 
improving ; its climate is mild and salubrious, and its pro 
ductions are abundant. Its mountains are rich in minerals 

Q. What is its military establishment ? 

A. In time of peace .about 3,000. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

Af It is fast improving, under the patronage of the king 


ft ETHERN AN DS. 


0)QQ 

hL What wnall states are connected with Wirlembeig : 

A. The Principalities of Jlohenzollcrn , and llohcmollern 
Sigmaringen, are within the limits of Wrrtemburg. Lichten¬ 
stein lies upon the south-east shore of the lake of Constance 

BADEN. 

Q. What are the situation and character, of Uaden ? 

A. It lies upon the south-western extremity of Germany, 
upon the confines of Switzerland and France ; and has the 
Bavarian circles of the Rhine for its western boundary. fSee 
the atlas.) * Its character, strength and resources, are about 
the same as those of Wirtera burg. 

Q. What is the capital ? , 

A. Baden, noted for its strong castle, upon the summit of a 
mountain’;, often the safe retreat of the Margrave. Carls- » 
rohe is the seat of government, and the residence of the court. 
Manheim is an elegant cityy noted for its literary’institutions. 
Freyburg and Heidelburg are noted for their universities. 

NETHERLANDS. 

Q. What are, the situation and extent of the kingdom of Nether¬ 
lands ? '' • • 

A. It is situated upon the north-west of France, and boun¬ 
ded W. and ft T . by the North sea ; E. by Germany ; and S 
by France. It is about 220 miles long, and frojn 100 to 200 
broad. 

Q. How is Netherlands divided and what is its population ? 

A. It is divided into 18 provinces—the 7 Dutch provinces 
of Holland, viz. Holland, Utrecht, Zealand, Geiderland, Over- 
yssel, Friesland, and Groningen ; 1 German, viz. Luxem¬ 
burg ; the other 10 Beigic, formerly called Belgium, Flan¬ 
ders or Netherlands. For population, see the following ta- 


Ul K* • .) 

Provinces ." 

Population. 

Provinces. 

Population. 

Holland, 

750,000 

Gelderland 

244.000 

East Flanders, 

602,000 

Luxemburg, 

226,000- 

West Flanders, 

521,000 

J Friesland, 

177,0Q0 . 

Hainault, 

334,000 

{ Namur, 

157,000 

South Brabant, 

366,000 

Overyssel, 

148,000 

Liege, 

355,000 

Groningen, 

136,000 

Limburg, 

293,000 

Zealand, 

112,000 

North Brabant, 

252,000 

Utrecht, 

108,000 

Antwerp, 

250,000 

Drenlhe, 

47,000 



N v ' 

5,175,000 





EUROPE. 


36(0 


Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Hague and Brussels, are the residence ot the court : 
but Amsterdam, Antwerp and Rotterdam, are the great com¬ 
mercial cities. 

Q. What is the government ? 

A. It is a limited, hereditary monarchy ; the constitution 
Was formed in 1814, upon the plan of the system ot Great 
Britain. 

Q. What is the religion? 

A. The Dutch provinces, or Holland, are Calvinists ; but 
the Belgic provinces, or Flanders, are Catholics, with free 
toleration. 

Q. What are the finances ? 

A. The revenue and expenditures, are each £7,000,000-. 
The national debt is about £140,000,000, at 2 or 2-12 per 
cent. 

Q. What is tho military force ? 

A. Land troops about 500,000 : marineforce 12 sail of the 
line, and 24 frigates. 

Q. Which are the islands ? * 

A. The principal are Walcheren, South Beveiand, North 
Beveland, Tholen, Schouwen, Overdakkee. Goree, and Tex- 
el. 

Q. Which are the foreign possessions ? 

A. Those of Asia, are Java, Amboyna, Banda, Ternate, 
Malacca, Macassar, and Factories on the Coromandel coast, 
and in Persia ; in Africa, 13 small forts ; in South America, 
and the West Indies, Surinam, and the isles of Curacoa, St. 
Eustatius, and St. Martin. 

Q. What is the general character of this kingdom ? 

A. This can be best understood under a description of the 
ancient divisions. 


FLANDERS, OR NETHERLANDS. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of the 11 provinces of Nethr 
erlands or Flanders ? 

A. They are situated upon the southern section of the 
kingdom, and are bounded N. by Holland ; E. by Germany ; 
S. by France ; and W. by the North sea ; are 200 miles 
from east to west, aud 70 from north to south. 

Q. What is the face of the country and climate ? 

A. The face of the country is gently undulating ; and the 
climate is mild and salubrious, excepting near the coast, 

Q. What are the soil, productions, and state of agriculture ? 

A. The best in Europe. 




NETHERLANDS. 


What arc the minerals? 

A. Copper, lead, iron, brimstone, coal, marble, 

Q. Which are the principal rivers? 

A. The Sambre, Meuse, and Scheldt. 

*Q. Which are the principal canals? 

A. Those of Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp, with mahy 
others. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp, Leyden, and many othera. 

Q. What is peculiar to these several towns? 

A. Ghent the capital, is ten miles in circumference, auo 
walled ; it has a population of about 60,000 ; it is famous f0) 
300 bridges aver its numerous canals ; and also for the treaty 
of peace, between Great Britain and the United States, in 
1815. Brussels is celebrated for manufactures, particularly 
its laces. Antwerp is a rich commercial city, but was for 
merly eclipsed by Amsterdam, ou the independence of Hof> 
land, and by the obstruction of the river Scheldt, Leyden is 
noted for its university. 

Q. What are the commerce and manufactures? 

A. These commenced early, and were highly prosperous., 
until the Dutch checked their commerce by obstructing the 
navigation of the Scheldt, about the middle of the 17th centu¬ 
ry : this ruined the commerce of Antwerp until the conquest 
ofthe French, and the reign of the emperor Napoleon, who 
restored the navigation of the Scheldt, and revived the com¬ 
merce of Antwerp. Their manufactures have continued to 
flourish. 

Q. What is their religion ? 

A. Roman Catholic, with free toleration. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. Literatureflourished early in Flanders, or Netherlands 
and its universities have produced some great men, particu 
lariy those of Leyden, Ghent, and others. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Netherlands ? 

A. Netherlands, like Venice, early took the lead in agn 
culture, commerce, and‘wealth ; but it has been the theatre 
of long and distressing wars, between the rival states of Eu¬ 
rope : particularly England, France, Holland, and Austria. 
It was conquered by France, in the early period of her rev # 
lution, 1794. At the close of that revolution, it was united 
with Holland, under the title of the kingdom of the Nether- 
landt, by the congress of Vienna, in 1814 It is rendered fa 



EUROPE. 


S02 

kious for the battle of* Waterloo, that decided the fate^f the 
emperor Napoleon, 1815. 

HOLLAND. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Holland 

A. Holland is situated between Germany, on the east 
Flanders or Netherlands, on the south ; and the German sea, 
#nthe north and west. It is about 200 miles long and 160 I 
broad. 

Q. How is Holland divided, and what is its'population: 

A. Holland is divided into seven provinces, viz. Holland, 
#veryssel, Zealand, Friesland, Utrecht, Groningen, and Gel 
derland. For the population, see the table, page 299. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. Holland is one dead level, and in many parts lower than | 
the sea ; it is secured against inundations by large banks, or, 
dykes. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Amsterdam, upon the Zuyder Zee, is the capital of Hob j 
land ; one of the first commercial cities of Europe, and has a 1 
population of about 250,000 ; it is built upon spiles, like j 
Venice, and stands in the midst of the water, with large and | 
deep canals for its principal streets, which admit the free pas* ! 
sage of ships, &c. ; these canals are bordered upon each side ! 
with foot walks, adorned with rows of trees, which give ade* j 
lightful appearance to the twwn ; the Stadthouse is consider¬ 
ed equal, if not superior, to the royal palace of Berlin. Rot- J 
terdam, upon the Meuse, is next to Amsterdam iu size, wealth, j 
and commerce ; it contains a population of about 40,000. 
Hague is the seat of government, and the residence of the 
court; it is a handsome city, and contains a population of j 
about 40,000. Haerlem contains a population of about 20,000. 
Middieburg and Flushing, on the island of Walcheren, are I 
handsome commercial cities. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture, commerce, and the ai ts r 

A. These have flourished beyond example in Holland. 

Q. What is the character of the people, and language ? 

A. The Dutch are remarkably industrious, temperate, 
frugal and neat in their affairs. The mass of the people 
speak Low Dutch ; the French language is spoken in genteel 
circles. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Holland ? 

A. Holland was formerly a part of the 17 provinoes of the 
Netherlands or Flanders ; peopled by the ancient Belgce 








DENMARK. 


m 


who were conquered by the Romans 47 years before Christ' 
Thiery, count of Holland, fonndedtbc first sovereignty, in the 
year 368, which continued until 1417, when it was surren¬ 
dered to the duke of Burgundy. Oppressed by the bishop of 
Utrecht, they transferred themselves to Spain, in the reign 
Charles 1. [Charles V. of Germany,] 1534. 

Oppressd by the tyrannic government of Philip II. son 
I and successor of Charles, the Seven United Provinces ot 
! Holland formed the Union ofXTtrecfit, and threw off the Span* 
ish yoke, by a revolution, with William, Prince of Orange, at 
their head, in the year 1579. This sanguinary struggle con- 
! iinued until the year 1609, when they obtained a truce with 
Spain, under the title of the Seven* United Provinces. 

During this struggle, the Prince of Orange was elected 
stadthol'ler, or president, and the government continued in 
his family. In the year 1747, the office was made hereditary, 
in the male and female branches of his family. 

In the year 1793, Holland was invaded by the French, anti. 
In 17 95, it was taken ; and in 1806, it was erected into a king¬ 
dom, and Louis Bonaparte placed upon the throne. In 1812. 
the kingdom of HolTand wasincorporated withdhe French em¬ 
pire. 

In 1814, Holland recovered her liberty, and the stadthold 
er was restored : the same year it was united to the kingdom 
of the Netherlands, with the House of Orange upon the throne, 
by the Congress of Vienna. 

Questions. —What is the history of Holland down to the year 1534 
What is their subsequent history to 1609 ? 

What took place in 1747 ? 

What were the changes from 1793 to 181-' 

: What changes took place in 1814 ? 

DENMARK. 

Q. What constitutes the kingdom of Denmark ? 

A. The peninsula of Jutland, Sleswick, Holstein, and Lau- 
enburg ; and the Danish Islands, viz. Zealand, Funen, Laa 
land, and others. Amount of population about 1,565,000. 

Q.. What are the situation and extent of continental Denmark ? 

A. It is situated upon the peninsula of Jutland, on the north 
west of Germany : is bounded N. by the Scagar Rack ; JD, 
by the Baltic sound ; S. by Germany ; and W. by the n.oyfb 
aea, It is 2W miles long and 160 broad ; 








EUROPE. 


5tfht 

Q. What are the face of the country, climate, soil and productions i 

A. The face of the country is generally level, and in some 
papts sandy ; the climate is mild and healthy ; the soil is gen- 
e-rally good, and produces all the various kinds of grain oy 
Europe: it also abounds in pasturage; and the Dutchy ot 
Holstein produces excellent horses. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers and lakes r 

A. The Eyder, that unites with the canal of Kiel, that con*- 
ti.eofs the north sea and Baltic, is the only river of importance 
ia Denmark ; but it abounds in small lakes. 

Q. Which are the chief towns of the kingdom of Denmark ? 

A. Copenhagen, upon the island oi Zealand, is the capital 
dT Denmark : it is one of the strongest and best built cities of j 
the north, and possesses great commercial advantages. Wi- 
bourg, SIeswick, and GluckMadt, are considerable towns, j 
Al'tone, on the Elbe, is- next to Copenhagen in commerce. 
Elsinore, at the western extremity of the island of Zealand, 
has a good road, and all nations, pay toll to Denmark, here, on 
passing the sound. Kiel is the 'capital x>f Holstein, and ceie- ] 
brated for its university. Odensee, upon the island of F li¬ 
nen, has a handsome college. 

Q,. What arc the religion and government ? 

A. The religion is Lutheran, with a general toleration.. 
The government is absolute and the people slaves. 

Q. What are the language and literature of Denmark ? 

A. The Danes speak the old Gothic and Teutonic. They 
iiqve one university at Copenhagen well endoweo ; and ma 
ny literary societies and institutions; yet Denmark has pro¬ 
duced but few learned men. The celebrated astronomer* 
Tycho Brahe, stands at the head of the literati of Denmark, 
What are the land and naval strength of Denmark ? 

A. Denmark keeps but few troops in time of peace.. She 
h as about 20 ships of war. 

DANISH. ISLES. 

Q, What are the situation and extent of the island of Zealand, Fu- 
ien> &c. ? 

A. They are situated in the Baltic sound, and are separated 
ay the Great Belt; the former is 65 miles long, and 60 broad, 
and. contains a population of 310,000 : it produces large, 
ernps, and has excellent pastures ; Copenhagen, the capital 
'{ Denmark, is situated upon this island. Funen is 35 miles 
ru^g, and SO broad ; population 112,000; Funen also yields 
‘urge crops of corn, and exports about 100,000 barrels apnu» 
ijiv' Odense^ is the capital. 



DENMARK. 


395 


1/aligeland is situated in the south part of the Great Belt, 
between Laaland and Funen, 30 miles long, and from 3 to 6 
miles broad ; it is more fertile than Funen. Population 
11,200. Rudkioping is the capital. 

Laaland lies contiguous to Langqland ; is 60 miles long, and 
about 12 upon an average broad. It is as fertile as Funen, 
and produces excellent wheat and peas. Population 38,0£>|h 

Falster is situated south of Zealand, and separated by a nar¬ 
row strait ; 60 miles in circumference ; is very fertile in gtlunv 
and fruit ; and is termed the orchard of Denmark. 

The other Danish Isles are too small to need description, 

FAROE ISLE?. , 

Q. How are the Faroe Isles situated ? 

A. The Faroe isles lie off the coast of Norway, and are' 
subject to terrible storms. 

Q. What is their number and population? 

A. There are 24 ; the largest of which is Stromoe, 17. 
miles long and 8 broad ; the others are comparatively small. 
They contain a population of 3 or 6000. 

Q. What is the general character of these isles ? 

A. They are mountainous, abounding in pasturage and’ 
sbeep ; and.are the resort of numerous sea-fowl. 

ICELAND. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Iceland > 

A. Iceland is situated near the Arctic ocean, i's280 miles 
long and 240 broad. Population 48,063. 

The inhabitants are generally Lutherans ; and divided into 
184 parishes, which contain about 300 churches, under the 
superintendence of one Bishop. 

The soil is stony and barren, generally ; no corn is raised ; 
but potatoes have been cultivated. No woods are seen, ex¬ 
cept a few shrubs, 5 or 6 feet high. The pasturage is good 
in the rallies; but the people subsist principally upon fish. 
They are attentive to education, and accustomed to read ; are 
generally religious, and strongly attached to their country. 

Iceland is noted for its volcano, Mount Hecla, one mife 
liigh... • . 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Denmark ? 

A. Denmark claims an antiquity of 30QQ years ; and boast® 
aXme of kings from Dan, their firstking, 1050 years before 

26 * 



EUROPE. 


.jptT 

Christ.; this exceeds the antiquity of Scotland about 70© 
years. But Denmark has no authentic history beyond Goc- 
mo, their first king 714. The kings of Denmark before that 
time, were only such chiefs of clans, .as invaded, and overran, 
the Roman empire in the 5th century. 

The Danes invaded England, with various success, through, 
the-Oth and 10 th centuries ; and Canute conquered England 
in the year 1017 ; and established the Danish dynasty upon 
that throne. Queen Margaret conquered Sweden in 1394., 
;md acquired the appellation of the Semiramis of the north. 

Denmark confederated with Russia and Poland against 
Charles Xll. king of Sweden, in the year 1700, but was soon 
compelled to sue for peace. 

Denmark was a confederate - against Prussia in the seven 
years war, that closed with the peace of 1765; since that, 
time she has been generally quiet. 

Questions. —What is the early history of Denmark ? 

What is their history from the 9th to the 14th centuries inclusive ? 
What subsequent confederacies took place in Denmark, and what h- 
her present situation ? 


NORWAY. 

Q: What are the situation and extent of Norway 

A. Norway Ups on the north-west of Europe. It is bound¬ 
ed on the N. by the Northern ocean ; E. by the Dofrafield 
mountains ; S, by the Sc agar. Rack 4 . 'and W. by the N. Atlan¬ 
tic.. It is about 1300 miles iong, and from 80 to 280 broad. 

Q. How is Norway divided, and what is its population ? 

A. Norway is divided int^ five governments, viz. Agger- 
huus,Christiansand, Bergen, Drontheim and Norland. Pop 
illation is estimated at 930,000. 

Q. What are the face of the country, climate and productions ? 

A. The face of the country is rough and mountainous ; the 
climate is various : in the south it is mild in winter, and hot 
in summer : the cold is, very severe in winter, in the north¬ 
ern parts. Their summers are short, and warm throughout. 
The soil affords some paslurage ; but very little corn. They 
have some cattle and she.ep. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains? 

A,. The Dofratieid chain, which divides Norway from 
Sweden. 



NORWAY.. 


307’- 

Q. What are the forests and animals ? 

A. The forests abound with lofty pines, an(l firs ; as well as 
fierce wild beasts, such as,bears, wolves, lynxes, &,c.; to-** 
gether with the all-devouriugrat, called the lemming, 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. Silver, copper, iron, lead, cobalt, magnet, or load] 
stone, and marble. 

Q. What is the character of the Norwegians ?■ 

A. They are brave, industrious, and hospitable ; and are 
generally well informed. They manufacture their own 
clothing, implements of husbandry, k c. They depend ,ofi 
their mines, forests, and fisheries, principally, for their sup¬ 
port. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. The face of the country does not admit of much culti¬ 
vation ; they are dependent on a foreign market,.chiefly, for 
grain. , . 

Q. Which are the chief town’s ? 

A. Wardhuys, Drontheiin, Bergen, Christiana, and Fred- 
erickshall ; the latter is famous for the siege and death o;f 
Charles XII. king of Sweden, December, 1718. 

Q. Which are the islands of Norway ? 

A. The Lofoden isles-, which are famous for the vortex 
called the Maelstrom. This whirlpool extends several mites- 
in diameter ; is of vast depth, and the sound of its whirl is 
heard many miles. Ships are often, drawn in, in time of 
calm, and become the victims 6f fbis whirlpool of the deep - 
I are swallowed up, and lost among the rock's below. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Norway f 

A. The settlement of Norway commenced with the settle.- 
ment of Sweden and Denmark, hy,numeroiis barbarous clans. 
In 1412, they were conqire red by the‘Danes, in the, reign o.f 
; Queen Margaiet. Since that time, Norway has vibrated be- 
. tween Denmark and Sweden ; and fell under the govern-. 

I merit of the latter., in 18.13. 


SWEDEN. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Sweden 
A. Sweden is bounded N. by Lapland; E. by Russia, the 
gulf of Bothnia, and the Baltic ; S. by the Baltic sea ; and W. 
by the Baltic sound, and Norway. It.is 1100 mil,es long, 

[ 360 broach 





l6s EDROPI;., 

Q,. How is it divided, and what is its population r 

A. Sweden is divided into Sweden Proper, Gothland, Nor¬ 
land, and Lapland. Population, 2,557,781. 

Q. What is theface of the country '' 

A. Sweden abounds in mountains, lakes, rivers, rocks, 
hills, and plains ; all calculated to lelight the eye, rather than 
to enrich the husbandman. The_mountains on the north, ore 
like the Alps of Norway, cover d with perennial snow. 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. Silver, copper, lead, iron quick-silver, sulphur, load¬ 
stone, mother of pearl, amethyst, porphery, vitriol, alum, 
marble and slate. 

Q. Which are the mineral springs ? 

A. These are numerous and valuable ; there are more 
'than 800 of all kinds, 

Q. Which arc the principal lakes ? * ’ - 

A. Lake Wener, 100 miles long and 50 broad ; it is sup¬ 
plied by 24 rivers. Lake Wetter, which is not so large ; but 
is supplied by 40 small streams, with but one outlet. Lake 
Melar, which is 60 mile's longand 20 broad. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers 

A. These are short, and conduct the tributarj r streams from 
the lakes to the sea. 

Q. What is the stale of agriculture, commerce and manufactures ? 

A. Agnculture andconmerge are flourishing; but manu¬ 
factures are small, and insufficient for theif own consumption 

Q. What is the state of literature 

A. The universities of Upsal and Lund, are celebrated *. 
primary schools are common, and the mass of the people are 
well informed. 

Q. What are their principal exports l , 

A. The productions of their mines and fisheries. 

Q. What are the commercial advantages of Sweden ?. 

A. Sweden possesses more than 2000 miles of-sea-coast 
her numerous rivtrs and lakes give her many advantages of 
inland navigatibn : and a canal is projected from Stockholm, 
to Gottenburg. She also owns the island of St. Bartholomews, 
in the West-Indies ; together with several small islands in 
the Baltic. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden ; it is built upon 
seven rocky islands, like Venice, and connected by bridges 
it contains a population of 80,000. Gottenburg has 13,000. 

• Carlscrona has 14,000, Upsal, noted for its university. W- 
"1000. 




SWEDEN, 


tm 

Q- What are the government and religion ? 

A. The government of Sweden is absolute ; but mi lefty 
administered. The Lutheran religion generally prevails, 

Q. What are the land and naval force ? 

A. 1 he land force of Sweden, in time of peace, is- about 
i 00 , 000 . i he naval force consists of gallie?, prjucfpall'v : 
they have but few ships of war. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Sweden ? 

A. Sweden was known to the ancients hv the name of Scan¬ 
dinavia, and her numerous independent hordes joined in the 
destruction of the western Roman empire, in the 5 th century . 
In the year 481, it was united as a kingdom, under one chief. 
In 829, Sweden became Roman Cathplid. In the year 1394, 
it was added to Denmark, by the conquest of Margaret, the 
Danish Queen. In the year 1500, Margaret introduced an 
order of nobility into thfc government of Sweden. In 1510* 
the.y were all Massacred, by the Swedes. 

In the .year 1525, Gustavus Vasa delivered his country 
from the Danish yoke, abolished popery, and introduced the 
Lutheran religion. In theyear 1544, he rendered the crown 
hereditary. In 1833, queen Christiana began to reign : she 
turned Catholic, and resigned her crown to Charles Gustavus 
X. in 1654 ; repaired to Rome, and died, l639. Charles 
XII. ascended the throne 17Q0 : he conquered Poland in 
1705; invaded Russia 1708 ; lost the battle of Pultowa 1710: 
and fled to the 'Turks, where he was protected three years, 
and then returned home in 1713. Invaded Norway, and vygv 
killed before Frederickshull 171,8 5 and his sister, Ulrich, 
succeeded to the throne. 

Counts Brahe, and Horn, were executed for conspiracy, in 
I the year 1756. The government became absolute in tin. 
year 1772. Gustavus 111. was murdered by count Anker 
strom, 1792„ Gustavus IV. was deposed 1809- Genenfl 
Bernadotte, a French general, under the emperor Napolei 
on, was elected Crown Prince in 1810, and now fills the 
[ throne. 

Questions. —What is the early history of Sweden down to the veav 
1510? 

! 1 What is their history from thence down to 1G89 ' 
j What from thence down to 1718? 

What from thence down to 18 \Q? 

Ij What from thence down to the present time ? 






EUROPE; 


3’|0 

Q; What is the national character of Sweden : 

V The Swedes were a brave, hardy, frugal and mdustn^ 
Qff?, people ; and until the death of Charles Xll. the most 
warlike nation of the north ; but his rash and distant enter¬ 
prises exhausted the resource’s of his country, and exalted his 
ri,val, Peter, of Russia, at the expence of Sweden. Since the 
death of Charles, Russia has continued to rise, and Sweden - 
f& decline. N 

LAPLA.NI). 

Q. What are the situation and divisions of Lapland ? 

A. Lapland lies upon the northern extremity ot Europe* 

•It is divided between Norway, Sweden, and Russia. (See the j 
atlas.) Population estimated at &0--.000. 

Q. NVhat are the climate, face of the country, and productions ? 

A. In Lapland, the winters are long, and the climate se¬ 
verely cold ; but the perpetual day of summer,* renders the 
climate intensely warm. The face of the country is level, 
where it is not intersected by the eastern chain ol the Dot- 
rafield mountains ; but it abounds with lakes ; & forests of pine 
and hr. The productions are very few. The inhabitants 
depend upon the rein-deer, for food and clothing, as well as 
means of transportation ; they are accustomed to the harness 
.and travel in their sledges with great speed and safety. 

Q. W 7 hat are the minerals ? 

A. The same as those of Sweden, and Norway. 

O. What is the general character of the Laplanders ? 

\. They are a dwarfish, sluggish people, generally ignorant 
of letters, and the arts; were never independent as a king¬ 
dom ; but retain the idolatry, &. manners aod customs of their 
ancestors, with some knowledge of Christianity. They dwell 
ih wigwams ; and the parents contract marriages for their 
children. They possess nothing of that rude taste for music 
which was common to the ancient Irish and Scots. 


RUSSIAN EMPIRE. 

What are the situation and extent of the empire of Russia . 

A. Russia is situated upon the north of Europe and Asia. 
Jt is bounded N. by the Frozen ocean ; E. by the sea of 
IQarrfschatka ; S. by Chinese Tartary, Independent Tartfirv. 






RUSSIAN EMPIRE. 


A-f 


Persia, Turkey, and the Black sea ; and W. by Eurdpe.mi 
Turkey, Austria, Poland, Prussia, the Baltic, and Sweden. 
It is about 6570 miles long and 1500 broad. 

European Russia is the most important ; but Asiatic R'us 
sia is the most extensive. 


Sqr. miles, 

European Russia contains 1,493,000. 

Asiatic Russia 5,736,000. 


7,229,000. 

What are the civil divisions and population ? 

A. Russja is divided into 52 governments. Population 
41,692,000. Hassel, Malte Brun, and others, differ from thi* 
statement of* the population of Russia, and estimate it from 4 1 
up to 56,000,000. The latter is now considered as the rnqst- 
correct. 

Q. What is the*govcrnrfient ?’ 

A. The government of Russia is absolute, yet mild ; with 
no capital punishments, except for high treason. The pun- 
ishmentof the knout is. now abolished. The emperor has of 
late given a written constitution, to Russia. 

Q. What is the state of the firlances ? * . . 

A. The revenue is estimated at about £ 15,000,000 ster¬ 
ling. The national debt is about £35,000. 

Q, What are the land and naval forces ? 

A. The land force in 1819, amounted to 600,000. The 
navy, to 30 ships* of the line, 20 frigates, 15 sloops, and 20O 
gallies. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. See Russia in Europe, and Russia in Asia. 

RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 

Q, What are the situation and extent of Russia in Europe r 1 

A. Russia is bounded on the N. by the Frozen ocean ; E. 
by Asia ; W. by Sweden, the Baltic sea, Prussia, Poland, 
Austria, Turkey ; and S. by Turkey and Austria. It is 1600 
miles long and 1000 broad. 

. Q. What are its divisions and population . 5 

A. It is divided into 46 governments. Population is esti¬ 
mated at about 38,995,000. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The Olonets mountains, a branch of the Norwegra* 
chain wind down through Lapland, a^jp extend nearly to Pe¬ 
tersburg. South of this are the Vffdai Hills, that extend 
down into Poland ; the latter are of very considerable height. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. In the interior and south, it is generally level but ©» 






EUROPE. 


o!2 


the north it abounds with extensive forests, bogs, and fuarsft 

; intersected with bleak and dreary mountains. 

Q. What are the soil and climate ? 

A. Russia embraces all the variety, from the soil and cli 
mate of Turkey, to the soil and climate of Lapland, and Spits¬ 
bergen. 

Q. What are the productions ? 

A. Ail the various kinds of grain common to Euro-pg, 
abound in Russia, particularly in the interior and 9011th. The 
north abounds with furs of all kinds. 

Q. What are the minerals of Russia ? 

A. Gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, quick-silver, sulphur* 
tasper, marble, granite, and salt. 

Q. Which are the islands of Russia in Europe ? 

A. Spitzbergen and Novazembla. 

Q. Which are the principal lakes ? 

A. Lake Onega, 150 miles long, and 30 wide ; Ladoga, 70 
miles loiig, and 30 broad. Lake Peypus is the source of the \ 
Neva. White Lake, and lake Seliger, &c. are the sources of I 
the Wolga. 

Q. Which are the principal seas i 

A. The White sea, Black sea, sea of Azof, and Baltic sea. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Wolga, which rises in Europe, and after a course 
of 2000 miles, falls into the Caspian sea, at Astracau. The 
Don, which runs 1000 miles, and falls into the sea of Azof. 
The Dneiper, which runs 1200miles, and falls into the Black 
sea. The Niester and Bog, also fall into the Black sea. 

Q. What rivers fall into the White sea, and Arctic ocean ? 

A. The Petchora, Mezen, and Dwina. 

Q. What rivers fall into the Baltic ? 

A. The western Dwina, Neva, &c. 

Q,. Which a re the chief towns ? 

A. Petersburg is the capital of European Russia. This city | 
was founded by Peter I.styled the great, with incredible la ; 
bor and expense, in the years 1703—4 ; like Amsterdam and 
Venice, some parts of it are built upon spiles, in the mars he* I 
of the gulf of Finland. In the year 1705, Petersburg could ; 
boast of a population exceeding 200,000, and a port 5 full of 
foreign ships ; at the very lime when Charles XII. was chang¬ 
ing the dynasty of Poland 

Q. What is the present state of Petersburg ? 

A. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful and flourishing 
commercial cities in Europe; built in the highest modern 
style, and inclosed with a wall 14 miles in circumference, i 
Croristadt, upon the Baltic, is its great naval port. 





RUSSIA, 


3 1 'i 


'Q. Which was the ancient capital of Russia ? 

A. Moscow ; it stands upon the river M-oskwa, one of the 
sojurces of the Wolga ; it is in tiie heart of Russia in Europe 
and the great inland mart of the empire. 

Q. YVhat is the size of Moscow ? 

A. Moscow is 26 miles in circumference : contains about 
13,000 houses, 1800 churches, and about 300,000 inhabitants 
Nearly all the city was burnt by the Russians, to defeat the 
views of the emperor Napoleon, in the autumn of 1812, who 
then held possession of Moscow. TheJFrench were literally 
burnt out. 

Q. What distinguished Moscow : 

A. The citadel bf Moscow, styled Kremlin, the cradle of 
all the Czars of Russia, was nearly destroyed by the emperor 
Napoleon, when he abandoned the city. Moscow was also 
famous for its great bell, that weighed 21 tons. 

Q. Which are the other cities of importance in European Russia 

A. Archangel, on the northern Dwirm. near the White sea , 
Riga, on . the southern Dwina, near the Baltic ; Nicholaef. 
upon’the Bog, near the Black sea, are all rich commercial cit¬ 
ies. Novogorod is one of the ancient capitals; and a city of 
some respectability, Tula is noted for its iron works, and for 
its manufacture of fire-arms, &c. ; it is the Birmingham of 
I Russia : the imperial fabric, in loOd, employed 6,000 work 
men. Kiev is famous for i(s extensive catacombs. Abo, the 
I capital of Finland, and noted for its university. Odessa upoc 
the Black sea, is a new and flourishing city, famous for thf 
j wheat trade. 

Q. What is the state of manufactures 

A. These are almost wholly domestic ; there are ver* 

| few manufacturing establishments. 

Q. What is the commerce of Russia ? 

A. The commerce of Russia is very extensive. Such is 
the internal navigation of Russia, that Petersburg not only 
, communicates with the Baltic, but with the Black sea, Caspi 
an sea. White sea, and with China, by her numerous canals 
and navigable rivers. 

Q. Which are the principal exports ? 

A. Iron, duck, hemp, flax, tallow, grain, furs, peltry 

j leather, &c. . . ‘’ 

Q,. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. The agriculture of Russia is very low, particularly .«» 
the northern parts. The Russians, like their progenitors, 
i the Tartars, are devoted to pasturage and cattle. 

27 



m 4 


EUROPE. 


Q. What is the language of Russia f 

A. A mixture of the Polish, Sclavonic, and the modern 
Greek. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. Peter I. reared the temple of science in the midst of 
barbarism, and taught it how to flourish, and it still continues 
to flourish. Russia has three universities; and the imperial 
academy of sciences, at Petersburg, ranks among the first in 
Europe, Still there is no part of Europe where learning Is j 
so low among the common people as m'Russia, not excepting j 
Poland and Ireland. The empe rot Alexander attempt cd 
many improvements ; but a great length of time mpsb . and 
will elapse, before much can be effected. 

Q. What is the state'of,joads in Russia ? 

A. The roads between the large cities in Russia are tolera¬ 
bly good; but in, general, they are in a rough state. 

Q. What is the national vhai actor of Russia ? 

A. The national character of Russia is.fhe m,ost diversified 
of any in Europe ; it is a compound of numerous nations and 
languages, who are mostly, in a state of ignorance and slavery 
A few of the large cities are in a high state of refinement ■: I 
but the mass of the population is in a state-of barbarism, 

Q. What iz the female character ? . «• , , 

A. Such as.is always to be foiund among a rude, half civili- i 
zed, and barbarous people'; in a state of degradation and sjav 
cry. v . : - • 

Q. What is the religion of-Russia ? , - ‘ 

A. The Greek church is ihe 'preyaifing' Teligion, with'a I 
free toleration.' , \ j 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Russia ? 

A. It was-blende'd. with the. history of Gre.at Tartary, until ! 
the reign of Rurrc, grand .duk^ of Kovegorod, who attempted 
to take Constantinople,. in the year 848. . Wobdimer, one of | 
‘his successors, einLirac'edch'ristianity in the yeah9€ L. Andrew 
I. laid the foundation of Moscow, in the year 1158.- About 
the middle of the IGt-h century, the Muscovites discovered 
and conquered. Siberia. At, the same tithe, the commerce of 
England began to extend into Muscpvy. In-the year 1359, 
John Bazilowitz f. asserted the independence of Muscovy, 
and threw off the Tartar yoke. The Tartars, to revenge I 
.this, burnt Moscow, and massacred. 30,000 0 f its citizens, in 
the year 1571. In the year 1700, Peter I. began to compute 
time, with the other kingdoms of Europe, and commence the 
year on the first of January. 





RUSSIA, 


31C 


in the year 1700* Charles XII. king of S.weden invaded 
.Russia, and fought the famous battle of Narva. Such was the 
state oj military skill and discipline at that time, in Russia, 
■that Charles, with only 0,000 Swedes, routed and destroyed 
•m army of 80,000 Russians, strongly intrenched, and suppli¬ 
ed with cannon. In the years 1708 and 9, Charles, after 
hrivihg conquered Poland, arid given the Poles a new king, at¬ 
tempted to penetrate to Moscow, and give a new Cz *r to Rus¬ 
sia) but such had been the indefatigable efforts of Peter, that 
He was then' able to meet Charles with nearly equal numbers., 
and defeat and destroy his army, in the battlt of Pultowa, 
1710. Charles fled to the Turks, and Peter fixed the perma¬ 
nency of the imperial ihrone. 

In the year 1721, Peter, then styled the Great, took the ti¬ 
tle of emperor of all the Russias. 

In the year 1697, Peter travelled into the south of Europe* 
for, the purpose of obtaining such knowledge of men and 
things, as he might find ^requisite to enable him to fill the high 
station he then held, and bring forward into" a state of civiliza¬ 
tion, the numerous Kor ies of savages and barbarians, he was 
destined to govern. He visited Fiance, Holland and England : 
served in- the ship-yards of the latter, as a common laborer, 
to acquire the art of ship-building.: returned into Russia in 
the year 1700., and commenced with his own hands, the first 
ship built in Russia. Peter assisted in building a fleet, enter¬ 
ed on board as an under officer, and signalized himself in navar 
combats with the Swedes, until by his merits he rose to the 
first command. The fleets of Russia soon commanded the 
Baltic, 1714. 

In the year 1703, Peter laid the foundation of Petersburg : 
in 17l4, it had become a flourishing city, and its port was 
crowded with foreign ships. 

In the year 1800, Alexander ascended the throne. Heen 
tered the lists with the emperor Napoleon, in the French revo¬ 
lution,and was severely beaten in the famous battles ofAuster 
litz and Friedland, in the years 1805 and 1807. 

J-n’the year 1812, tlie emperor Napoleon invaded Russia 

Questions. —What is the early history of Russia, down to the middle 
of tin? 16th century ? 

What from thence to the commencement ofthe 18th century f 
What from thence to the year 1721 ? 

When did Peter I. travel into the south of Europe ? what was his ob ¬ 
ject, and what were the consequences down to 1714 ? 

When did Alexander ascend the throne ? where did he fight the em¬ 
peror of France, and what was the result ? 



EUROPE. 


3 1 6 

and took Moscow, but the Russians burnt him out, and de-* < 
stroyed his army, on their attempting to return into Poland. 
The emperor Alexander followed up the blow, and pursued 
into Germany. The next year he co-operated with the allies 
in the defeat of the emperor Napoleon at Leipsic, pursued 
him into France, took him in his capital, and banished him to 
the island of Elba, 1814. 

On the 1st of March, 1815, the emperor re-landed in 
France, at the head of his body guard, marched to Paris, 
without resistance, and resumed the government. 

On the 18th ofJune, 1815, the emperor Alexander, in con¬ 
nection with the allies, defeated the emperor Napoleofi, at the 
memorable battle of Waterloo, which closed the war of the 
French revolution. Since that time, Russia has been trauquiL 

When did the emperor Napoleon invade Russia, and what was the 
result ? 

Wliat were the operations of 1815, and what is the present state csf 
Russia ? 


POLAND. 


tq. What are the situation and extent of Poland ? . 

A Poland was formerly bounded N. and E. by the Baltic, 
and Russia ; S. by Turkey and Hungary ; and W. by Ger¬ 
many and the Baltic. It comprised Great and Little Poland, 
Lithuania, Masovia, Podlachia, Little Russia, or Red Russia, 
Volhynia, Podolia, and the Ukraine ; arid was sub-divided in¬ 
to 34 palatinates. Square miles 284,000. Pop. 15,000,000. 

Q. How has this kingdom been divided ? 

A. In 1772, 1793, and 1795, the powers of Russia. Austria, 
and Prussia, made three several divisions of the kingdom of 
Poland ; all which had the following result, in 1795, viz : 

&q. mites. Population. 

To Russia, 168,000 6,700,000 

To Austria, 64,000 4,800,000 

To Prussia, 52,000 3,700,000 


Total, 284,000 15,000,000 

•In 1815, the congress of Vienna made the following chan¬ 
ges, viz. 

Sq. miles.' Population. 

To Russia, 1/0,000 6,900,000 


To Austria, 

To Prussia, 
Kingdom of Poland, 

Total, 


1 / 0,000 

30,000 

29,000 

47,000 

284,000 


3,500,000 
1,800.0C0 
2,800,000 

15,000,000 







KINGDOM OF POLAND. 


317 


Q. Which are the chief totvns ? 

A. WarsiW, the capital ; Dantzic, Lemburg, Cracow, \Vif- 
na, Brody, Kiev, Posen, Charkov, Mohilev, and Witepsk. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A, The Vistula, Bog, Niemen, Pregel, Dwina, Dnieper, 
■and Dniester. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil, productions, &c ? 

A. See the present, kingdom of Poland. 

KINGDOM OF POLAND.. 

Q. What are the situation and character of the present kingdom tf 
Poland ? . 

A. It comprises what was.formerly the Dutchy of Warsaw. 
It is about 20u miles'long, and the same broad ,* and contains 
about 70,000 square miles. 

Q. How is it divided ?. . ' ■ ■ 

A. It is divided into the palatinates of Cracow, Sendomer, 
Kalich, Lublin, Piock, Masovia, Podlachia, and Augustow. 
Warsaw is" the capital ; the other towns, except Lublin, arc 
small. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil,-productions, &c. ? 

A. The face of the country is generally level ; the soil fer ¬ 
tile ; and the productions 3uch ns are common to the north of 
Germany. Agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and litera¬ 
ture, are low : the religion is generally Catholic, with a free 
toleration. 

Q. Which arc the principal rivers.? 

A. Vistula, Bog, &c. 

Q. What are the government, revenue, &c. ? 

A. It is a constitutional monarchy, subject to the emperor 
of Russia, who governs by a viceroy,'and-a senate of thirty, 
ten of whom are bishops, and a diet of 77 deputies. Reve¬ 
nue about £9QO.QOO'sterIing. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Poland? • 

A. Poland was anciently the country from whence the Van¬ 
dals emigrated, who formed a part of the northern barbarians, 
that overthrew the western Roman empire, in the 5th centu¬ 
ry. It was formed into a Dutchy, $94. Otho III. emperor 
of Germany, erected Poland into a kingdom, and placed Bo- 
leslaus upon the throne.,999. The Poles embraced chriS" 
tianity about the same time. Red Russia was added to Po* 
land, 1059. Pomerania, that had been separated 180 years, 
was again united in The order of the white eagl« 

27* 




EUROPE. 


instituted in 1705. At the same time, Charles XII. king of 
.Sweden, carried on a successful war against Poland, and mf 
4707, he deposed Augustus, then elector of Saxony, and king 
of Poland, and placed Stanislaus Leckzinski upon the throne.' 

fn 1717, by a pacification treaty, Stanislaus was deposed, 
and Augustus restored. A general revolution was effected b„y 
the^emperors of Austria, Russia, and the king of Prussia ; and 
Poland was divided between those powers, 1772. A counter 
revolution restored the throne to the Saxon line, in 1791. A 
second partition, between the emperors of Austria, Russia., 
and king of Prussia, removed the Saxon family, 1793. A 
third partition in 1795, fixed the destinies of Poland, and the 
king retired upon a pension of 200,000 ducats. 

The emperor Napoleon invaded Poland, in 1807; and again 
m 1812, and attempted to restore the ancient sovereignty* 
but the failure of his Russian expedition defeated his plans. 

The congress of Vienna confirmed the division of Poland,, 
of 1795, with some slight alterations, reserving a nominal 
kingdom, subject to the emperor of Russia. 

So late as the 13th century, the Poles were in the habit of 
killing all such old people as were unable to procure a sup¬ 
port for themselves, and all deformed children. 

Questions. —What is the early history of Poland down to the year 
1705 ? 

When did Charles XII. invade Poland, and what was the result ? 
What is the subsequent history of Poland to the year 1795 ? 

What is the subsequent history of Poland down to this time ? 

What custom was general in Poland, from the early ages down to lh& 
13th century ? 


TURKEY IN EUROPE. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Turkey in Europe ? 

A. Turkey in Europe is bounded N. by Hungary, Transyl¬ 
vania, and Russia; E.by the Black sea, the Bosphorus, sea of 
Marmora, Dardanelles, and Archipelago ; W. by the Adriatic., 
Austrian Dalmatia^ and Croatia. R is about 870 miles from, 
the northern extremity of Moldavia, to the southern extremi¬ 
ty of the Morea. Square miles, according to Hassel, 184,000 ; 
Malte-Brun, 192,000 ; Oannabich,. 197,000 ; Edinburgh Gaz¬ 
etteer, 200,000. Pop. according to Malte-Brun, 9,500,000. 

A statement from the JYovcUes Annals des Voyages by a 
apqsdern Greek, vi?.: 






TURKEY IN EUROPE. 


3r£ 

Greeks, ®r peopfc speaking Modem Greek, 4,000,000 


People of Sclavonian origin, - 3,000,000 

Turks,.- - - 2,000,000 

Albanians, -. 1,200,000 

Wallachians, Moldavians, &c. - 1,200,000- 


Total, 11,400,000 

About one third of this population are Mahometans, end 
the remainder are mostly of the Greek churc-h. 

Q. Which are the divisions ? 

A. Turkey in Europe comprises the ancient countries'of 
Greece, with its islands, in the south ; Macedonia, Epirus, 
and Thrace, in the centre ; Maesia, part of Dacia, Pannonia 
ymd Illyria, in the north. 

Q. What other division is common to Turkey ? 

A. A recent division, and such.as is common to maps, books 
«f travels, geographies,,&c. is intoMorea, Livadia, Thessaly* 
Macedonia, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Wallachia, Moldavia, 
Servia, and Bosnia. 

Q. What are more particularly Turkish divisions ? 

A. The Turkish civil divisions are into two Beglerbeg- 
ships, viz. Romania, or Rutn Ili, and Bosnia, which are sub¬ 
divided into 34 sdngiacats. Constantinople and Adrianopie, 
with their territories, are not included in this last division. 

Q. Which are the principal Jiiounta.ns? 

A. Hceuius, Rhodope, Athos, Olympus, Pindtis, ParnasSus, 
Pelion, and Ossa. 

Q. What is peculiar to mount Athos ? 

A. Athos is a celebrated promontory, and. inhabited by 
thousands of Monks, who possess a great number of church¬ 
es and monasteries ; and practice the severest austerities. 

Q. What is peculiar to the other mountains ? 

A. They are all celebrated in Grecian history, and by their 
poets. 

Q. What are the face of the country anddclimate ? 

A. The face of the country is beautifully variegated with 
-mountains and vallies r and the climate is the most delightful 
in Europe. * . 

Q. What are the soil-and productions ? 

A. Turkey is remarkably fertile : -the productions are 
wheat, rice, tobacco, cotton; oranges, figs, and various drugs : 
and all the variety of grain common to Europe, in the highest 
perfection. The vine flourishes well, and they make excel¬ 
lent wine. 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. All the precious metals, and marble, are found in Tu£- 




EUROPE. 


3£Q 

Q. What is the state ef agriculture ? • ■ 

A. The Turks are, too indolent for agriculture ; it is in a 
low state,- 

Q. Which are the principal seas and gulfs ? - 

A. fn Turkey, are the Black sea, sea of Marmftra, Archi¬ 
pelago and Mediterranean ; the-gulfs of Venice, Salonica, 
Engia, an,d Lepanto ; the two last form the isthmus of Cor- 
fatb, famous for the ancient Istlimean Games. 

Q. Which are the principal straits ? *’ I 

A. The straits of the Dardanelles, or Hellespont, and the I 
Straits of Constantinople, or Thracian Bosphorus. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? . 

A. The Danube, Prutb, and fVardar, are the only rirers of i 
.importance. . x * 

Q. Which are the chief town^ ? 

A. Constantinople is the capital ; it rises from the strait in 
-the form of an amphitheatre, upon an elevation of seven hills, 
and exhibits the most beautiful view of any city in Europe. 

It is surrounded with a wall twelve mi Ids in circumference ; 
and contains a population of. 4 GQ,000. Adrumople is next in 
import ince to Constantinople. Sophia, Bucharest, and Bel¬ 
grade? are respectable cities ; the latteris strongly fortified as | 
=u frontier post. Jassy and Salonica v ' are handsome cities - t 
the latter possesses high commercial advantages. 

Q. What is the commerce of Turkey^ . 

A. Tiie commerce of Turkey isdow, compared with therr I 
advantages; and wiiat they haVe,us principally confined to the 
jLxreeks. - y y 7 • - . 

Q. W hat are their manufactures ? 

A. The Turks manufacture carpels, silks, 'and cottons r. 
hut their manufactures, like their agriculture, ttre'low. 

Q. What is .the character of T iidiey ? 

A. The Turks possess one' of the finest climates, and rich¬ 
est soils in Europe ; but they are too haughty and indolent to 
improve it : they are sunk in ignorance, luxury, and effemina- l 
ay. One third of tJW population are Greeks, who descended 
from the ancient,owners < 'f^lha country, and Who have been 
under the most h-umiiiating oppression almost 400t years ; but. 
they have now risen in df fence pf their rights. 

Q. What is the amount of the revenue, army and navy ? 

A. The revenue’does not exceed 80,000,000 francs, though 
the Pachas oppress the people with five times that amount. 
The army is stated at 400,000 ; of which 30 ot 40,000 were 
Janizaries. The navy consists of 15 or 20 ships of the line 
lb frigates, and 60 galiies. 





GRECIAN ISLES. 


32* 


What is their religion .? 

A. The Turks are all Mahometans ; but the Greeks enjoy 
the religion of the ancient Greek church. * 

Q. What are the antiquities and curiosities ? 

A. These aye numerous, and consist of the remains of an¬ 
cient Grecian temples, theatres, palaces, aqueducts, &c. the 
ruins'of ancient greatness. 

TURKISH, OR GRECIAN ISLES. 

Which tye the Turkish or Grecian Isles'.? 

A. The Turkish islands are Candia or Crete, once famous 
for its excellent wheat and wines, mount Ida, the river Lethe, 
Hs wonderful labyrinth,and the government of Minos. 

Rhodes, once celebrated, .as a haven of commerce ; for its 
colossal statue,t under which ships sailed when they entered 
the port ; and as the residence of the knights of St. John of 
Jerusalem, when they were expelled from Jerusalem by the 
Saracens, in the 13th century. 

Negropont and Scios ; the latter is famous for its universi 
ty, and the late exterminating massacre by the lurks. 

The five Cyclades, Andpos, Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, and 
Santorini ; all famous in. ancient history. 

Patmos, Mytilene, Ipsara, and Samos ; the latter is celebra¬ 
ted for its antiquiti.es ; and Patmos for the residence of Si. 
John, in his banishment,. at the time he wrote the Revelations. 
Ipsara has suffered severely in the present Grecian revolu 
tfon. 

Lesbos and Tenedo's ; the latter is famous as the place of 
rendezvous for the Greeks, in the siege of Troy ; also as a 
land-mark to shew where Trov once stood ; “ opposite the 
island of. Tenedos 

Cyprus was formerly a rich and fertile island, and might 
become so again ; but it is now in ruins. It was famous for 
t he celebrated temple of Venus, at Paphos. 

REPUBLIC OF THE SEVEN ISLES. 

Q. What is the situation of these isles ? _ 

A. They extend along the south-western shore of Greece, 
and were formerly classed among the Grecian isles ; but in 
1815, they were placed under the protection of Great Brit¬ 
ain, by the congress of Vienna. 

t The statue of Apollo was dedicated to the sun. It Was 105 feet, 
high ; and was thrown down by an earthquake, 224 years, [B. C.J and 
Weighed 720,000 lbs. 





3t£ EUROPE. 

(£. What aro the names and character of the Seven Isles t 
A. Corfu, Cephaionia, Zunte, Santa Maura, Cerigo, Ithica- 
and Paxo. They are generally rocky and barren, except the 
.plains that are interspersed among the rocks and mountains. 
The climate is mild ,; and the productions are corn, vines, ol¬ 
ives, currants, cotton, honey, wax,&£€. The inhabitants are 
generally Greeks._ 

ltbica was the residence of Ulysses, who was famous at the? j 
time of the Trojan war. 

Q. What is the population of this republic : ; . 

j A. It is estimated at ahout ^pGy-OOO. 

Q. W}iat is th« government ? 

A. The government is vested bra senate of^O, chosen from 
all' the islands, hut subject, to the crpsyn of Great Britain. 

HISTORY. • 

Q. What is the history of Turkey in Europe? ( ‘ 

A. Turkey in Europe was first settled by the family of I oh 
or Javan, a descendant of Japhet, the son of Noah, with sev¬ 
eral other barbarous clans from Asia, about 20,00 years before 
Christ. 

These people were, in anqienE times called ionians, Hel¬ 
lenes, or Greeks : the gulf of V'enice is still called the Ionian 
sea. ‘ ’ : ( ; 

Greece was also* settled about 1200 years before Christ, by 
several Egyptian and Phcenitian colonies, from whom the 
Tireeks learned the use of letters ; and such-ware their im¬ 
provements, that Greece became the nrbst splendid theatre of 
learning, arts, and arms, that had appeared .at any former age 
of the world. 

Greece withstood the whole force, and strength of the kings 
of Persia, and destroyed the armies of Darius and Xerxes* 
when they invaded her with several millions of men, 4th cem* 
fury before Christ. 

Alexander, king of Macedon, styled the Great, revenged 
upon Persia, her invasions of ‘Greece, by conquering the 
whole Persian empire, then termed the world ; and took the 
name of conqueror, 329, [B. C.] 

Questions. —When and by whom was Turkey in Europe first set¬ 
tled, and what were they called ? 

What other colonies came into the country, and when ? 

What became the character of Greece in arts and arms.? 

When and by whom was Greece invaded, and what was the result? 
What hero rose up in Greece, and became the conqueror of the world 








GRECIAN REVOLUTION. 


. I ■ ’ 

Greece was conquered by the Romans, about 150 years be- 
lore Christ, and continued an integral part of the Roman em¬ 
pire, until the year 1453, when Greece, the last vestige of 
the Roman State, was conquered by the Turks. (See Tur¬ 
key in Asia.) They erected a despotism upon the ruins of* 
Greece, and' tiie eastern Roman empire, which continued 
down to the year 1-821 ; then the descendants of the ancient 
heroes ofGreece rose in arms ; asserted their liberty and in¬ 
dependence, and have maintained them, through a desperate 
and bloody contest, to this lime' against the whole power of 
Turkey. v '; . •. 

Whoa and by whom was Greece conquered, in succession, and wlial 
were the consequences-? 

When did Greece assert herundepohdencc ?• * 


€*miau iirbolutton: 

Q. What is the history of the Grecian revolution ?' 

A. The Grecian revolution, like that of f ranee, took its 
rise from an association of respectable Titer; .ry gentlemen 
who commenced their sessions at Vienna, in the ybar 1814. 
Whatever might have been their motives at the commence¬ 
ment of thek* sessions, theif literary pursUitssOon became in¬ 
volved in politics, and the liberties ol Greece became a sub? 
ject of consideration. 

In the year 4020, Ali, Pacha of Janirta, in Epirus,.commen¬ 
ced an insur clicn in Greece ; hut it was a Turkish insur¬ 
rection, in which the Greeks tdok no part. Atthe close of 
the year, the Sublime Porte had suppressed the insurrection 
so far, that All’s army was dispersed, and he driven into his 
strong hold, where he was cjds.ely besieged by Churshid, Pa¬ 
cha of the'More a.- J .< x . r 

In this .-fate of things, art insurrection commenced in Wal- 
lachia. under the direction bCTheodore, a native of the prov¬ 
ince, who put himself at the head ot 60 of 70 adventurers, 
and proclaimed liberty to Wallaohia. The* flame caught so 
rapidly, 'that irt a short time, Theodore foundjiimselt at the 
head of about Ip,GOO raea. The spirit spread into the ad- 
ioining provinces, .-and in the month of March, the gal ant 
Greek Ypsilanti, who sprang from an illustrious One ,of Gre¬ 
cian ancestors,, proclaimed liberty to Moldavia. ^ he people 
ro«e in arms, flocked in crowds to his standard, and marches 
towards Wallachia, to support their brethren. At the same 






EUROPE. 


mi 

time, another insurrection commenced in Moldavia, at GalalA, i 
on the Danube, and tha patriots marched to support Ypsilanti. 

The Sublime Porte took the alarm, and threatened a gener- : 
al massacre of the Greeks, at Constantinople, in order to i 
overawe the insurrection. 

Such Was the spirit of* the Greeks, that before the month of 
March, 1821, had terminated, an insurrection commenced in 
the Morea ; and Germarius, Arch-bishop of Patras, put him¬ 
self at the head of about 3000 patriots, who drove the Turks 
into the citadel of Patras. 

The senate of CaJamatft assembled at the same time, and 
issued their proclamations to their countrymen, calling upon 
them to rise in the majesty of themselves, and protect the i 
cause ; also upoD the. Turks, promisingthem peace and safe¬ 
ty, provided they would remain tranquil. They also address- | 
ed foreign nations in justification of their views and measures, j 
and called upon them to lerid their aid in support of suffering | 
humanity, struggling in defence of her dearest rights. 

At this eventful moment, Jussuf Selim, lieutenant of Chur- 
shid,' Pacha of tlie-Morea, commenced an attack upon Patras, ! 
carried it by an assault, and put to the sword about 8(>0 Greeks, 
of all ages, and both sexes. This roused the Greeks to the. I 
contest, and Gregory, a monk, like Peter, the hermit of old, I 
erected the standard of the cross, ahd rallied his cbuntrymfen ! 
to the contest. In a few days he assembled at Corinth sever- i 
al thousand men. 

The principal islands of Greece caught the flame, and rous- I 
ed to the contest, with their fleets and privateers ; and even 
Vovlina, a heroine, to revenge the death of her husband, who i 
had been murdered by the Turks, fitted.out three vessels, at i 
herotvn expense, and took the command ip person. This 1 
zeal upon the water; gave a general support to the patriot j 
cause, 

Pending these movements in Greece, the emperor of Rus¬ 
sia, by his influence, effected a counter revolution in Waf- j 
lachia and Moldavia ; and the insurrection was crushed in I 
those provinces. 

Aboutthe 1st of April, the Turks, at Constantinople, clam- ! 
oured against the government, and caused-the Grand Vizier to 
he displaced : and the mohput to death Gregory, the patriarch 
of the Greek church, because he had not suppressed the in¬ 
surrection, in the Morea^ and his body was thrown into the ; 
Bosphorus : on the same day the bishop of Ephesus, and oth¬ 
er prelates were put to death. Such was the rage of the pop- 




GRECIAN REVOLUTION. 325 

ulace, and the alarm of the Porte, that ten days had not elap 
sed, before the new Grand Vizier was deposed, and execut 
ed ; the Sultan called upon the whole empire to rally to the 
contest, and suppress the insurrection. Large bodies of 
troops were marched towards the provinces ot Wallachia and 
Moldavia, which so alarmed the Russian minister at the Porte, 
‘hat he remonstrated, and a long negociation ensued. Russia 
assembled a strong force in Bessarabia, to watch the motions 
of the Turks, and continued the negociations ; the dispersed 
; insurgents of W allachia and Moldavia kept up a predaton, 

| war ; but \ psilanti himself was seized and imprisoned iu Aus- 
j tria, where he suffered a long imprisonment. 

The Greeks assembled their forces in the Morea, and 
strengthened their fleet ; and the war raged upon the land, 
as well as upon the water, through the summer, with great 
severity, and even cruelty ; but the Greeks were generally 
successful. 

In the month of November, the Greeks called a conven 
j lion, to frame a constitution, which was completed and pub 
I lished on the 1st of January, 1822; and Prince Alexander 
! Mavrocordato, was chosen President of the Executive Coun 
j cil of Five. The Greeks next established printing presses 
commenced the circulation of newspapers, and began to coin 
1 money, levy taxes, &c. All Greece had now rallied to the 
contest. 

I The Sublime Porte assembled a powerful army, under the 
command of the Pacha Churshid, in Albania, with orders to 
penetrate into the Morea, by the Isthmus of Corinth, where 
he was to be supported by the Turkish fleet, by the way of 
the gulf of Lepanto. 

The Greeks anticipated these movements, and defeated the 
whole plan, by cutting to pieces the several divisions, before, 
they could form the proposed junction, at the isthmus of C» 

|| rinth. 

The Turks, enraged at the success of the Greeks, seizeit 
on the island of Scio, or Scios, which contained a population 
of about 150,000 Greeks, with a college, in a most flourish- 
! ing situation, and enjoyed an extensive trade. They razefc 
the city, and murdered, or carried away captive, the whole 
Greek population, under the most distressing displays of 
cruelty, and barbarity. To revenge this wanton, savage act^ 

' the Greeks entered the harbour of Scios, with two fire ships, 
j and destroyed the Turkish Admiral’s ship, with the Admiral 

28 



326 


EUROPE, 


himself, and one other ship of the largest class, with hfcr 
whole crew, consisting of more than one thousand men. 

The news of this event threw Constantinople into high 
commotion ; the divan was torn with feuds ; the people were ! 
in confusion, and the Janizaries rose in rebellion. The Sul¬ 
tan ordered a large body of troops, stationed withou-tTthe city,, 
to march in, and quell the insurrection ; a bloody contest en¬ 
sued ; but the Janizaries were overpowered, and subdue^ ; 
and the survivors were led to immediate execution. 

In the month of July, the Turks concentrated their forces, 
and commenced an attack upon the Morea, by sea and land. 
They entered the isthmus, took the city of Corinth, about 
the 1st of August, and penetrated'to Argos, where they were 
met by the Greeks ; an action commenced ; the Turks were | 
routed, and their Lieutenant General was slain. Churshid, 
their general, made a hasty retreat out of the Morea; his 
soldiers deserted his standard in such numbers, that it was 
with the greatest difficulty he could recover his former posi¬ 
tion in Thessaly ; which closed the operations of his army 
for this year. 

The Turks, upon the island of Cyprus, rose upon the 
Christians or Greeks, and 'put to death more than 40.000 ; 
razed their churches, and laid waste their country, for the 
space of more than 40 square leagues. They attempted the 
same in Candia, or Crete ; but the Greeks opposed them suc¬ 
cessfully, and kept their ground. 

Pending these movements, the Turkish Admiral attempted 
to return with his fleet, -within the ‘Dardanelles ; but the 
Greeks pursued, and overtook them off Tenados ; commen¬ 
ced another attack with fire-ships, and set fire to the Admi¬ 
ral’s ship, which blew up, with the destruction of the Admiral 
and crew, without the loss of one Greek. 

This event gave ft new shock to the capital, and.in connec¬ 
tion with the unpopular measures of the Porte, caused a gen¬ 
eral insurrection, and the city tyas repeatedly on fire. The 
Vizier was deposed, and his head taken off ; and Churshid 
passed through the ceremony of the bow-string. The 
Greeks, at the same time, seized on Athens, ami Napoli de 
Romani, the strong hold of the Turks in Greece. clos¬ 

ed the year 1822, 

At the commencement of the year 1823., the Turks held 
no fortresses «of any importance, in the Morea, except Pa 
tras, and the castle of Corinth. r 




GRECIAN REVOLUTION, 


327 


The plan of this campaign was the same as that of the pre¬ 
ceding ^ear. The first movement of t[ie land army, was an 
attack upon Missolunghi, in Livadia, near the entrance of the 
gull of Lepanfo-. The Turks commenced an attack on the 
Oth of January ; but were defeated with great loss. They 
attempted to move eastward, towards the isthmus of Coiinth, 
but were opposed by the Greeks, at the river Aspropotamo, 
with so much success, that the whole of the Albanians with¬ 
drew from the army, and the Seraskier, or General, was una¬ 
ble to make any important movements. 

At this time, the new elections of Greece commenced ; and 
the.elective body-met at Astros, in the month of April. Mav- 
rocordato declined a second election, and Mavromichalis was 
chosen President, and John Orlando was chosen President of 
the Senate. . 

At this time, an insurrection of the Greeks commenced at 
Mount Pelion, and upon the eastern shore of the gulf of Vo- 
lo ; the Seraskier put his army in motion to suppress it ; but 
the Greeks made a manful resistance, and maintained their 
ground. * ■-. 

At the same'time; the Capudan Pacha, or Admiral of the 
Turkish fleet, sailed from Constantinople with seventy ships 
of war, and thirty transports ; and about the first of June, he 
appeared off the island of Negropont, and landed a strong 
force ; drove the Greeks from the island, and penetrated into 
Attica, as far as Athens, but he. was soon obliged to retire 
to Negropont, to defend his possessions there. 

The Seraskier, Melimet Ali, put his army in motion to¬ 
wards the Morea, and the Capudan Pacha moved with his 
fleet towards the gull* of Lepanto ; but the Greeks annoyed 
the Turks so successfully on their march, that the Seraskier 
halted at the convent of St. Luc ? where the Greeks overtook 
him, routed, and dispersed his army, and rioted in the spoils 
of the Turkish camp. The Seraskier, with his fugitives, es¬ 
caped to Carpenit&a. 

In the mean time, the Suliote chief, Marco Bozzaris fell 
upon an army of 5000 men, which the Turks had landed at 
Co.^dyla, to act in concert with the army of the Seraskier, 
and cut them to pieces, took them prisoners, or dispersed 
them as fugitives. 

The Greeks now began to collect their troops in force, in 
order to attack the Turks at Carpenitza ; but finding the 
place too strong, they abandoned the plan, and listened to Jhc 
following purpose of Bozzaris. 




328 


EUROPE. 


“ I have with me 340 brave Suliotes ; and I will, at their 
head, enter the Turkish camp, with no other arms than our 
sabres and pistols. Do you present yourselves in force, at 
different points, and commence your fire, when we are reqog- 
nized, so as to distract the Turks ; and if you second me, we 
will seize the Pacha, alive, or dead.” 

This measure was received with applause , 'and immediate 
preparations were made for its execution. At midnight Boz- 
zaris took an additional force, of 100 chosen men, and forming 
the remainder of the troops into four divisions, he marched 
off his detachment for the conflict, with this address to the 
chiefs that remained : My friends ; if we scatter you will 
be sure to find me around the tent of the Pacha.” The ad¬ 
venture succeeded, the Turks were surprised and routed ; 
the Pacha was taken by Bozzaris himself; but in the very 
act, the hero fell mortally wounded : he was borne off by his i 
brave companions in arms ; and as he expired, thus address¬ 
ed them : “ My friends, to die for liberty is a pleasure, and ! 

not a pain. Freedom is neVer acquired but by great sacrifi¬ 
ces : I die content, because 1 have contributed to the inde¬ 
pendence of my country.” The Pacha Was slain in the con ¬ 
flict. . 

The Capudan Pacha attempted to seize upon the island of 
Skiatho, near the entrance of the gulf of Volo, but failed ; 
which closed the operations of this campaign. _ 

This year, large sums in money, and necessary materials 
for war, were raised, byway of contribution, in Great Brit¬ 
ain, the United States of America, and other parts of Chris 
tendom, and forwarded to the Greeks, to aid their cause. 

In the month of April,, 1824, the friend and patron of | 
Greece, Lord Byron, who left England and embarked in the j 
Greek cause in 1822 v fell sick, and 'died. 1*1 is services in j 
behalf of this unfortunate country cannot be fully appreciated. 

For the campaign of 1824, the Turkish fleet was augment¬ 
ed, by a powerful fleet,from Egypt, which threatened the en j 
tire destruction ol the Greeks ;—but the valor of the Greeks 
was as fully displayed in this campaign as the last, and with I 
similar success. The capture of the island of lpsara, by the I 
Turks, and its re-capture by the Greeks, will fully shew the | 
spirit and success of the parties. The.scenes of Scios were i 
renewed at lpsara ; the Turks became masters of the island ! 
on the 4th of July ; the Ipsariots killed more than twenty 
thousand of the enemy before they were overpowered and 
jflken. 







6MCIAN REVOLUTION. 


329 


On the 23d of July, the Greeks re-inforced their fleet, 
made a descent upon Ipsara, and carried the island, with a 
terrible slaughter ; the whole Turkish garrison fell in the 
field, or were put to the sword, to the amount of more than 
2000 men. The Greeks at the same time, attacked the 
i urkish fleet, and took, err destroyed 55 gun boats, eight 
sloops, a corvette, and three frigates. Total loss of the 
Turks, in the capture and re-capture of Ipsara, is estimated 
at twenty-three thousand men. The* Greeks, were equal¬ 
ly successful'against the Egyptian fleet, arid against the land 
army of the Turks, that was marching upon Athens. 

The following extract of a letter will fully shew the spirit 
and success oi the Greeks in this campaign :— 

tc Permit me to oongratulatej.ou upon the success of the 
Greeks. They have been victorious in every engagement, 
both by sea arid by land. They now command the Darda¬ 
nelles. By an account T have lately read, 550 Greeks fought 
8000 Turks,, at Thermopylae, from 8 o’clock in the morning, 
till 6 at night ; leaving more than 700 Turks dead upon the 
held of battle, besides the wounded, and lost but few them¬ 
selves, not 20. It seam's as if the Alrtiighty favoured them. 5 ' 

The Sublime Porte made early preparations to prosecute 
the war against the Greeks in 1825 ; and placed great expec¬ 
tations upon the co-operation of the Pacha of Egypt, who put 
in requisition all the resources of his dominions. 

On the 8ih.of May, the Pacha-appeared off Navarino, with 
a fleet of 100 vessels ; .60 of which were ships of war, and 40 
transports ; he entered the harbor on the 12th, and landed a 
strong force ; but the Greeks were prepared to receive him. 
During the night, the Greeks attacked, with fire ships, the 
fleet of the Pacha, and succeeded in capturing and destroying 
the whole. • 

On the same day, the Greeks attacked, with fire-ships, the 
Turkish fleet in the harbor of Modon, consisting of 40 ships 
of war and transports, and destroyed the whole Such Eu¬ 
ropean vessels as wereTri the port of Modon, escaped to Zan- 
te, without their anchors, and otherwise much damaged by 
the conflagration. * 

The fortress of Navarino, after a long and obstinate resis¬ 
tance, was forced to capitulate to Ibrahim Pacha on the 23d 
of May, for want of provisions ; the garrison, (12,000 men,) 
marched out with baggage, and every thing excepting theiv 
arms. * 

The naval operations during this campaign, were pecul&r- 
28 * 


330 


EUROPE. 


ly glorious to the Greeks ; and their naval heroes gained 
fresh laurels, by their many brilliant achievements. 

The successes of the Greeks, by land and sea, had been al¬ 
most uninterrupted, and had they possessed an undivided un¬ 
ion, and a government of energy, and decision, they doubtless 
might have continued the defence of Navarino,, and preserv¬ 
ed the place ; but failing in those two essential points, they 
were constrained to suffer Navarino to Tall into the hands of 
the enemy. The capture of this strong, hold was a triumph i 
to the enemy, worth the labours of a whole campaign, be¬ 
cause it covered his army through the winter, and gave him 
a commanding advantage, in receiving supplies, and reinforce¬ 
ments, to enable him to open, to the best.possible advantage. ! 
the campaign ofthe next season. 

T he campaign of 1826 was opened with more formidable 
preparations on the part of the Turks,.than either of the for¬ 
mer. The Pacha of Egypt penetrated into the Morea with a 
strong force, and laid waste the country with tire and sword. 
On the 20th of March,-after four successive assaults, he car¬ 
ried the strong fortress of Missolunghi, after a brave and des¬ 
perate resistance. .All the garrison, (1400,) were killed, 
and a great number of women and children drowned in the 
neighbouring lakes. Before the attack, the garrison were re¬ 
duced to four ounces of bread a day. They took the sacra¬ 
ment, and recited the burial service, then repaired to their 
posts, determined to sell their lives'as dear as they could. 
Before the last attack, they weve. reduced t6 427 fighting 
men. The Turks were aided by French officers, or they 
could not have taken the plaCe. 

Ibrahim Pacha, it is stated, had given orders to kill all the 
prisoners, and even unarmed peasants, in order to complete 
the number, of six thousand heads, and pairs of ears, that the 
Sultan had ordered him to send to. Constantinople. It ap¬ 
pears that he could not make up this number 1 at Missolunghi. 

Ibrahim continued hrs ravages in the-Morea, and the strong 
fortresses of Napoli de Romani, and Tripolitza fell into his 
hands, and the same cruelties and horrid barbarities followed 
as at Missolunghi, and continued through the year 1826. 

The siege of Athens commenced in torm about mid-sum¬ 
mer, and was conducted with vigour arul cruelty, but the 
Greeks were firm and manful in their defence. In the month 
of Sept, the garrison commenced a successful sortie, drove 
the Turks from their entrenchments, with great slaughter, 
and plundered and destroyed their camp. The Turks re 




GRECIAN REVOLUTION. 


331 


covered the shock, and renewed the siege, until late in Nov„ 
or Dec. and then raised the siege and withdrew. 

The year 1827, opened on the part of the Turks with morfc 
formidable preparations for the subjection of Greece, than 
any former year. Ibrahim drew into 4iis service from Egypt 
greater forces by land .and sea, than those of the last .year, 
and the cause of Greece became so desperate, as to unite the 
three great Christian powers of Europe ; Great Britain; 
France, and Russia, in a Coalition treaty, for the support, and 
protection of Greece, signed at London, July 1. The result 
of this treaty has s been an armed combined squadron, which 
entered the Archipelago in the month of Sept, and attempted 
to check, and suppress the ravages qf Ibrahim, by an armis¬ 
tice, nntil a treaty could be amicably settled with the Sublime 
Porte ; but when they found this to be impracticable, the al¬ 
lies entered the port of. Navarino. on the 20th of Oct. and in 
one of the most memorable naval actions ever recorded, suc¬ 
ceeded in destroying the whole Turkish fleet, consisting of, 
more than'60 sail, of all classes. 

“The affair at Navajino was known in the Seraglio on the 
2?lh Oct. and so exasperated the Sultan, that nobody dared 
i to go near him for twelve hours. The Reis Effendi, at 
I length, on the 3d of November, sent for the Drogomans of 
I the three powers, and appeared in a state of copsternation 
i which is not to be described. Without speaking to them of the 
consequences of the affair, he’ asked them the reason of such 
a breach of faith, and dismissed them, after giving an evasive 
answer, with forced composure, adding this remarkable de¬ 
claration,—that the Port£ deeply regretted having listened 
[ for a moment to the insinuafions, and the promises of the three 
Ambassadors,—that their presence at Constantinople was in- 
l different to the Porte,—that no advice would be given them 
either to go or stay,—that they were at liberty to determine 
what they should do ; lastly, that the Sultan had resolved to 
* break off all intercourse with them." 


ASIA, 


332' 



Q. What arc the situation and extent of Asia ? 

A. Asia is bounded N. by the. Arctic ocean ; E. by the Pa- 
citic ocean ; S. by the Indian ocean ; and W. by Europe, the 
sea of Azof, Black sea, and Bosphorus, the sea of Marmora, 
irohipelagb; Levant, the Isthmus ofS.uez, the Red sea, and 
straits of Babehnande!. It i$'5250 miles from north to snOth, 
and 7580 from east to west ; arid contains, according to Has- 
sel, 16,728,000 square miles 

Q. What are the statistical divisions, and population of Asia ? 

A. Asia is divided into the following kingdoms,‘states, and 
empires, viz. Russia, including Siberian Tartary on the 
north ; the Chinese empire, and India beyond the Ganges, on 
the east ; Independent Tartary in the centre ; Turkey and 
Arabia, on the west ; Persia, Cabul, and Hindoostan, on the 
south. Population of Asia- is estimated at about 48°,000,000. 

Q. What is the climate of Asia ? 

A. Asia embraces the climate of nil the zones* 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The principal mountains, are the Uralian on the north¬ 
west ; the Altaian on the north ; the mounts of Caucasus, Ar¬ 
arat and Taurus, oo the west ; the Belur Tag, in the cen¬ 
tre ; the Himmaleh, including the Hindoo Koosh, on the 
south ; and theGauts of Hindoostan. (Seethe atlas.) 

Q. Which are the most elevated of,these ranges ? 

A. The Himm a h moun\s,- which are about 27,000 feet 
above the level of the sea ; and the Yablony mounts, in the 
Altaian chain, which exceed 10,000 feet ; and Mount Ararat, 
of the same height. 

Q. IIow are the Uralian mountains situated ? 

A. The Uralian mountains divide Asia from Europe, on 
the north-west, anil extend from the shores of the Arctic 
ocean, in a southerly direction, down to'the 50th degree of 
north latitude, where they divide ; and the eudern-branch is 
separated from the Altaian chain by the steppe of Issim. The 
Altaian chain extends across the continent, in a circuitous di¬ 
rection, and terminates at the north-eastern extremity, near 
Beering’s straits; this chain is called the Altaian chain on 
Xhe western part ; the Yablony, near the centre ; and Stra- 
vony, or Mounts of Okotsk, on the eastern part. 

Q. IIow are the mounts of Causacus, Taurus and Ararat situated ? 

A. The mounts of Taurus rise near the Thracean Bospho- 







ASIA. 


35, 


.rus, and extending along the southern borders of Asia Minor, 
meet the mounts of Caucasus, which come down Irom the 
northern shores of the Black sea, and form the mountains of 
Ararat, and extend to the southern shores of the Caspian sea. 
At the western extremity of this chain are Mount Ida, and 
Mount Olympus. A branch of this chain extends from the 
passes of Cilicia, down into Syria, and forms the mountains of 
Libanus, and Anti Libanus. Another branch extends down 
between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, and divides the em¬ 
pire of the Turks, from Western Persia. 

The Belur Tag is a branch of the Altaian clfain, that extends 
down in a southern direction, through Cabul, to the shores of 
the Arabian sea ; it crosses the Koosh mounts near the centre 
of Cabul. 

The Koosh mounts commence in Persia, and extending 
through Cabul, become the Idimmaytayan chain, upon the 
southern borders of Thibet, and terminate near the river Bur 
rainpooter. 

The Knrakoorum chain rises in Tartary, and crossing the 
Belur Tag, extends into Thibet, in a south-easterly direction., 
and terminates near the city Lasso. The Bogdo chain rises 
also in Independent Tartary, and crossing the Belur Tag, ex¬ 
tends in a circular direction, until it joins the Altaian chain. 

The Gauts mounts rise in the southern part of Hind)ost.an, 
and extending along the Malabar coast, up to the 20th degree 
of north latitude, they turn off east, and extend nearly across 
the peninsula of Hindoostan. 

Q Which are the other mounts of Asia ? 

A. A chain, with several branches, extends along the south¬ 
ern and western coast of Arabia ; another along the eastern 
coast of Tonkin and China ; also a short chain lie* between 
China and Thibet. (See the atlas.) 

. Q. What are the productions of Asia? 

A. The productions of Asia are such as are found in all the 
climates in the world, from the tropical regions of India, to the 
frozen regions of Siberia. 

Q. What are the Asiatic Isles? 

A. The numerous isles of the Archipelago and Levant, the 
principal of which have been noticed under Turkey in Eu 
rope ; Socotra, in the Arabian sea ; the Maldives and Laca- 
dives, in the Indian ocean ; the Andaman and Nicobar isles, in 
the bay of Bengal ; the Isle of Sunda ; Philippine Isles 
Isles of Japan ; Australasia ; and Polynesia. 



ASIA. 


» . ^ . Jen 

Q, Which are the inland seas and lakes of Asia r 

A. The inland seas of Asia, are the Caspian, and Aral. 1 he 

lakes are best described on the map. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers of Asia ?,. . . < . 

A. The northern.declivity of the Altaian chain gives rise 
to the numerous rivers that flow through the extensive plains 
of Siberia, into the Arctic ocean ; but the southern declivity 
gives rise to the river Amur only ; and this falls into the sea | 

of Okotsk. . . 1 o 

The Karakoorum range gives rise to the liver Indus, which 
passes through the IJimmaleh mounts, and tails into the sea of 
Arabia. The same range gives rise to the l iver Burrampoo* 
ter, which unites with the Ganges forty miles from its mouth. 

The Himmaleh mounts give rise to the river Ganges, Bur- 
rumpooter, and Indus. 

The short chain of Eastern Thibet, in the same range* 
gives rise to the rivers of China, the Iioang Ho, and Kiang Ho, 
or Ku ; also, the river Cambodia of Tonkin, and the several 
rivers of the Bunnan empire. 

The Gants mountains give rise to the numerous rivers of 
Hindoostan. 

The Caucasian chain, Or Ararat, gives rise to the rivers 
Euphrates and Tigris, that fall into the Persian gulf. 

The Ural mounts give rise to a brunch of the Wolga, the 
Ural and Tobol. 

The Belur Tag gives rise to the several rivers that fall in- 
to the sea of Aral. 

[For a description of numerous other rivers, see the map.J 

Q. Which are the principal cities of Asia ? 

A. The cities of Asia are both ancient and numerous ; and 
are of the first respectability ; but many of the splendid cities- 
of antiquity are now in ruins : especially those of Persia, Syria, 
and Asia Minor.. The cities of China now claim the first rank 
in Asia. 

Q. What is the stale of arts and manufactures? 

A. The arts and manufactures, among some of the half civ* 
ilized nations, stand high, especially in China, where they 
excel : they are also in a high state of improvement in India. 
Persia, Arabia, and Japan. 

Q. What is the commerce of Asia ? 

A. The commerce of Asia is rich and expensive ; but whol¬ 
ly conducted by foreigners : not one nation in Asia carries on 
a foreign commerce in its own ships. 

The silk and cottons of India: the porcelain, tea, silks, 
cottons, &c, of China : the carpets, silks, fcc. of Persia ; the 






ASIA. 


'335 


embroidery, brocade, tapestry, &c. of Turkey ; and the rich 
shawls of Independent Tartary, and Cashmere, are among 
the first articles of commerce in Asia. 

Q. How is the internal commerce of Asia conducted ? 

A. The internal commerce is very extensive. The empire 
of China is intersected by numerous rivers and canals, that 
, are navigated by large square built vessels, called junks, 
which render the communication throughout, easy and cheap. 
From China, an inland navigation extends, by means of navi- 
1 gable rivers and canals, to Petersburg, in European Russia : 
i and branches from this chain extend throughout the Russian 
empire ; but the commerce of interior, or middle Asia, south 
of the Altaian chain of mountains, is conducted by caravans. 
These assemble at particular seasons of the } r ear, and move in 
large bodies of 10 or 1500 in a company ; which generally go 
guarded, as a security against robbers. Camels are the only 
^nimals used in this mode of commerce, because they alone 
1 can sustain the necessary privations of water. This was for¬ 
merly the only channel of commerce in Asia, before the in¬ 
vention of the mariner’s compass, and the discoveries in the 
Indian ocean, by the Europeans, in the 16th cenlur)’ ; since 
that time, the commerce of China, India, and southern and 
western Asia, is carried on in foreign ships, to all parts of the 
world. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. The state of agriculture, among the half-civilized na¬ 
tions, is various ; but it is not very highly improved in any, 
excepting China and Japan : there, as far as we have the 
means of knowledge, it is highly improved. The savage and 
barbarous hordes have very little knowledge of agriculture. 

Q. What are the prevailing governments in Asia? 

A. The governments of Asia, throughout, are despotic ; 
there is not a limited monarchy, or a free government i» 
Asia. 

Q. What is the state of national power in Asia ? 

A. The state of national power, except in China and Japan, 
i is low. True national power has fornts basis, a free religion, 
in connection with a free government; a general diffusion of 
knowledge, among all classes of the people, founded upon a 
1 free, and cheap system of education ; a high state of agricul¬ 
ture, commerce, the arts, and of manufactures. Whatever 
nation combines all these advantages, with industry and the 
moral virtues, possesses true national power, whether her do¬ 
minions be large or small. When all these are wanting, as i's 
generally the case in Asia, national power must be low. 





as« 


ASIA. 


Wherever afree government, free religion, and free educa 
lion are wanting, there national power will be proportionally 
weak ; for there the moral virtues will be weak. 

Q. What are the religions of Asia ? 

A. In Asia, the Pagan and Mahometan religions generally 
prevail. Christianity is partially known and enjoyed in Asiat 
ic Russia, and British India : but there is not a Christian state 
in Asia. 

Q. What is the learning of Asia ? 

A. The learning of Asia is very low. Learning, and even 
a written language, among the savage and barbarous hordes ot I 
Siberia, Tartary, and throughout the Moguls’ empire, are not 
known. The half-civilized nations of China, Japan, India, 
including the Burmans and Siamese, and Arabia, have a writ¬ 
ten language ; hut their modes of printing and transcribing | 
books, are so slow and difficult, as to render them bothscaice 
and dear. Tradition, in both cases, performs much the 
greater part of the communication of knowledge. Savage and 
barbarous tribes know not the use of figures; but the half- 
civilized nations have long been conversant with arithmetic. 
The question is not yet settled, whether the Hindoos or Ara 
bians, were the inventors of arithmetical numbers. 

Q. What are the means of instruction, and advantages of educa¬ 
tion in Asia ? 

A. The advantages of education among the half-civilized ! 
nations, are very considerable, especially among the higher ] 
and middling classes of people ; but the poor, in all these I 
countries, are doomed to perpetual ignorance. 

In all the Mahometan countries, the mass of the people are 
taught to read the Koran in Arabic ; but they are not required 
to understand it, because they are all ignorant ofthelanguage ; 
except in Arabia. 

Q. What other advantages of education are now enjoyed in Asia ; , 

A. The advantages of education arising from Christian mis- 
sionaries. Missionary stations, with schools of instruction, 
are established, and establishing, in every country in Asia ; j 
the bible is translated, and translating, into every language ; 
and printing presses are circulating copies of the scriptures so i 
rapidly, that it is to be hoped, that all the countries of Asia 
will in a few years enjoy the advantages of Christian instruc- ' 
tion and knowledge. 

Q. What are the literary institutions of Asia ? 

A. Literary institutions are established in all the half-civi¬ 
lized countries of Asia, of various grades and denominations 
but their systems of instruction are very partially knowTv 







ASIA. 


33:7 

Several literary institutions are established in India, Vy the 
British government, and by funds arising from private dona¬ 
tions ; and their good effects begin to be felt. The principal 
of these, are the college at tort William, in Calcutta ; the 
colleges at Poonah, Benares, and Cotym : all which are flour 
ishing. 

Q. What is tho state of female character in Asia ? 

A. The female character is low. It has become a fact, 
clearly understood , that female character, and the rights of 
, woman, rise directly as the state oi civil refinement is sup¬ 
ported by the knowledge of Christianity: In all savage and 
barbarous countries, woman is the slave of man. In all half- 
civilized countries, woman is still the slave of man, but in a 
higher degree, as in China, India, and Arabia. In all civiliz¬ 
ed countries, where the bibie is enjoyed, woman takes her 
j rank in the scale with man, and becomes the polisfier of map 
ners and morals, and the ornament of society. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Asia. ? 

• A. The history of Asia commences with the creation of the 
first human pair, from which sprang the whole human family, 
before the flood. 

Q. How long was it from the creation to the flood T' r 
A. The creation was about 1656 years before the flood. 

Q. What parts of Asia were settled before the flood, and what wae 
the character of the peoplo ? 

A. The creation of man, and the immediate population ot 
, Asia, commenced in the garden of Eden, and upon the rivers 
Euphrates and Tigris ; but how extensively men had multi¬ 
plied and spread, is not known. All the knowledge that we 
| Rfive of the character of'man is, “ that the earth was filled 
with violence,” at the time of the flood ; and that man ha« 
become notoriously corrupt, in consequence of the first trans 
gressjoD. Man had neither science, nor commerce, nor cit 
I ies ; but the whole population was a race of shepherds, an# 
hunters, until they were destroyed^by the deluge. 

Q. Where was the earth re-peopled : 

A. The earth was re peopled in Asia, and upon the same 
livers where man was first created ; and again from Asia 
sprang the whole human family. 

Q. Who were the founders of the new race of men ? 

A. Noah and his family, who were saved from the deluge 
in an ark. 


29 





338 


AVIA. 


Q. What became the employment of man afthr tho flood ? 

A. Husbandry ; and that employment continues, and will 
continue. 

Q. When did men begin to build cities ? 

A. Men began to build the cities of Nineveh and Babylon, 
about 3 14 years after the flood ; these cities became the cap¬ 
ital* of Assyria, and Chaldea, which were the two first king¬ 
doms 

Q. Which were the principal kingdoms of Asia that have followed? 

A. The principal kingdoms'of Asia, were the Medo-Per- 
sian, Grecian, and Homan, among the ancients ; togetherwith 
the kingdom of the Jews, or the tw-lve tribes of Israel. 

Q. What became of those kingdoms? , T 

A The kingdom of. the ten tribes of Israel was destroyed 
by the Assyr ans ; the Assyrians were destroyed by the 
Medes and Babylonians ; the Babylonians were destroyed by 
the Medes and Persians, 7o years after they had Carried away' 
to Babylon the two tribes of Israel ; the Medo-Persitin em¬ 
pire restored the two tribes to their own land, about 50Q 
years before Christ ; and they in their turn were conquered 
by the Greeks, about' loO years after ; th Greeks were cor-* 
quered by the Homans, about 60 years h :Tore Christ. 

In the year of the world 4004. Jesus Christ was'born, and 
commenced the work of Redemption, to save fallen and ruined 
man. (See the Bible.) 

In the 7th century of the Christian era, the Saracens of 
Arabia conquered the Homans in Asia,, and extended their 
empire as far east as the river Indies. (See the history of 
Arabia ) 

In the 14th century, the Turks drove the Saracens out of 
the Roman provinces in Asia, and laid the foundation of thi? 
prestnt Turkish monarchy. 

About the middle of the 16th century, they took Constanti¬ 
nople, the capital of the eastern Roman empire, and fixed 
their capital there, where it now continues; ( See Turkey in 
Europe.) 

About the first of the 13lh century ,Gengbfs Khan, a Tartar 
prince, by his conquests m’Persia in India, laid the founda¬ 
tion of the Moguls’ empire. At the close of the 14th centu¬ 
ry, Timer Bek, or Tamerlane, extended the conquests, and 
became Great Mogul. 

In the year 173^, Kouli Khan usurped the throne of Persia, 
broke the power of the Moguls, and carried his conquests in¬ 
to India ; which prepared the way for the British East India 
company to extend their dominions in India. 


TURKEY IN ASIA. 


331) 


Russia has been gradually extending her powers and domin¬ 
ions in Asia, since the rjse of Peter I. about the first of the 
loth century. 

The Chinese claim the greatest antiquity of any of the na¬ 
tions of Asia ; hut there is nothing on record to shew, that 
their dynasty commenced earlier than the reign of prince 
Ye©, about 2200 years before Christ. 

Confucius, the great philosopher, flourished about 550 
years before Christ. 

Literature was revived, and the art of printing commenced 
in China, about 200 years before Christ. Sematsian, their first 
historian, wrote about one century before Christ. 

China was conquered by the eastern Tartars, and the em¬ 
peror arid his family killed themselves, about the middle of 
the ITthcentury. The same Tartar dynasty is now upon the 
throne. The emperor passes the winters in China, and the 
summers in Tartary. 

Asia has been the theatre of the greatest events ofjaoy oth¬ 
er quarter of the earth. 

Questions. —When did Jesus Christ appear upon earth, and for what 
purpose ? 

What memorable events took place in the 7th century ? 

What power rose up in the 14th and 15th centuries ? 

What conquerors rose up in Persia in the 14th centpry ? 

What other conquerors in the lbth century, and what were the conse¬ 
quences ? 

When did Russia begin to extend her power in Asia ? 

What claims does China make to antiquity, and what is her true his¬ 
tory down to the present time ? 


TURKEY IN ASIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Turkey in Asia ? , 

A. Turkey in Asia is situated between the Black sea, and 
Asiatic Russia, on the north ; Persia, on the east; the Levant 
and Arabia, on the south ; and the Levant, Archipelago*straits 
of the Dardanelles, sea of Marmora, and Bosphorus, on the 
west. It is about 1000 miles long and 800 broad. The pop¬ 
ulation is estimated at about 12,000,000. 

Q. What are the divisions of this country ? 

A. Turkey in Asia is divided into the following provinces 
Viz : 





340 


ASIA. 


Provinces. 

J Natolia proper, 
Natolia. > Caramania, 

) Aladulia, 

Turcomania, or Armenia, 
Curdistan, or Assyria, 
Diarbec, or Mesopotamia, 
frac-Arabia, or Chaldea, 
Syria, Judea, or Palestine, 


Chief Towns. ■ 

Byrsa, Smyrna, Angora. 

Satalia, Terasso, Konia. 

Ajazzo, Maraseh, and Adana. 
Erzerum, Van. 

Curdistan, and Betlis.- 
Diarbec, and Mouscl. 

Bassora, and Bagdad. * 

Aleppo, Tripoli, Damuscus, an* 
Jerusalem. 


Q. What sublime field opens to c<ur view in the^ geography of this 
eduntry 

A. The greatest, most interesting, and sublime field, of any 
other country in the world, is presented in Turkey in Asia ; 
here was the origin of man ; here the whole history of the 
Bible was unfolded ; here Jesus Christ was born, suffered* 
died, rose again, and ascended to heaven ; and here was the 
field of his ministry. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains of Turkey in Asia ? 

A. The principal mountains of Turkey in Asia, are the 
chain of mount Taurus, that includes the mountains of Ararat, 
on the east; and Olympus and Ida, of classic fame, on the 
west ; also mounts Hermon, and Lebanon, in Syria and Pales¬ 
tine, so famous in the scriptures. 

Q. What are the face of the country and climate ? 

A. The face of the country is delightfully variegated with 
mountains and plains, hills and dales. The climate is the fin¬ 
est in the world. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil is remarkably fertile, and the productions such 
as have been described under Turkey in Europe. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The rivers Euphrates, Tigris, Orontes, Granicus, and 
Jordan ; all famous in sacred and profane history. 

Q. Which are the principal lakes ? 

A. The lake of Van, 80 miles long and 40 broad, on the 
north of Curdistan. The lake Asphaltites, in Palestine, com¬ 
monly called the Salt, or Dead Sea, or lake of Sodom, 72 
miles long and 19 broad ; this lake was the site of Sodom and 
Gomorrah, and the five cities of the plain, that were destroyed 
by the vengeance of heaven.—Genesis xix. 24. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. Their agriculture is low ; and the people are amass of 
ignorant, superstitious slaves. 

Q. What is the state of manufactures ? 

A* The same as in Turkey in Europe. 


TURKEY. 


341 


Q. What is their commerce ? 

A. This i* very extensive ; but conducted altogether By 
foreigners. 

Q. What is the government of Turkey P 

A. The government of Turkey is the most despotic in the 
world ; it prostrates every thing to its own degrading lust of 
domination. 

Q. How is Natolia or Asia Minor situated ? 

A. Asia Minor is situated between the Black sea on the 
north, the mountains of Cilicia on the east ; the Levant on 
the south ; and the Archipelago, sea of Marmora, and Bos- 
phorus, on the west. It contains the greatest number of cit 
ies, of any country of the same size, in the world : j^ljre • 
nowned in sacred and profane history ; but the greater part 
of them have changed their names, and are m ruins. 

Q. Which are the most important of these cities ? 

A. The most important upon the western side, was Troy ; 
rendered famous in classic history, for its 10 years siege : 
and on the eastern, the city of Tarsus, r ndered famous in sa 
cred history, as the birth place of St. Paul. 

Q. What cities in Asia Minor, or Natolia, were rendered famous 
by the ministry of the Apostles ? 

A. The cities of the seven Churches of Asia, viz. Ephe¬ 
sus, ‘Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and 
Laodicea ; all celebrated in Grecian, Roman, and sacred his¬ 
tory ; but they are all now in ruins, except Smyrna, which is 
Still a place of very considerable trade. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The rivers are .generally small ; but the Granicus was 
rendered famous for the defeat of the Persians, by Alexander. 

Q. What is the situation of Armenia # 

A. Armenia is situated at the source of the rivers Euphra¬ 
tes, and Tigris; and i* rendered famous for. the mountains of 
Ararat, where the ark ofNoah rested, after the flood : also, 
for the death of Darius, king of Persia, after the battle of Ar- 
oela. 

Q. What is the situation ofCurdistan, cr Assyria ? 

A. Assyria is situated south of Armenia, and is the country 
Where Noah built the ark, and where he began to re-people 
the earth, after the flood. It is also the theatre of the first 
city, (Nineveh,) and the first kingdom (Assyria) in the world. 
Also, the place of the captivity and the rain of the Ten tribe? 
of Israel. 

Q. What is the situation of Mesopotamia ? 

A. Mesopotamia is situated south-west of Assyria, and in' 
eludes a part of the kingdoms of Assyria and Chaldea 





342 


ASIA, 


Q. What is the situation of Irac-Arabia, or Chaldea ? 

A. Chaldea is situated south of Curdistan, upon the livers 
Euphrates and Tigris, and is famous for the Tower of Babel, 
which was built soon after the flood, upon the plains of Shi- 
nar, and caused the confusion of language ; also for the re¬ 
nowned city of Babylon, the second city built after the flood, 
and upon the same plains, which became the capital of the 
Chaldean monarchy ; and near to which Abraham was born. 

Q. Where did Nineveh and Babylon stand ? 

A. The former stood upon the river Tigris ; and the latter, 
near the confluence of the Tigris with the Euphrates ; but 
the exact sites of those cities are not known. (See the at¬ 
las.) 

Q. For what are those cities famous ? 

A. Nineveh is famous for the captivity and ruin of the Ten 
Tribes of Israel ; and Babylon for the captivity and bondage 
of the Two Tribes of Judah and Benjamin, 70 years ; and 
both are famous for their wonderful destruction, agreeable to 
the predictions of the Phrophets. Babylon is particularly 
celebrated as the theatre, where were written the prophe¬ 
cies of Daniel. 

Q. What nations have rendered this country famous by their wars ? 

A. The Medes and Persians, Greeks and Romans, Sara¬ 
cens and Turks. Babylon became the capital of the Medo- 
Persian and Grecian empires," and of the Roman empire, in 
the east ; but it was destroyed by the Saracens, about the 
time they built Bagdad, near the middle of the 8th century. 
This country is now under the dominion of the Turks. 

Q. What is the situation of the provinces of Syria, Judea, or Pales-* 
tine ? 

A. These lie south*bf F Natolia, upon the borders of the 
Levant. This is the country of Canaan, promised to Abra¬ 
ham, and his posterity ; and the theatre of the Jewish Church 
and Prophets (see the Atlas) ; the birth place of Jesus Christ, 
and the theatre of his ministry, sufferings, death, and resur ¬ 
rection. This was also the place where his disciples com¬ 
menced their ministry, and recorded the truths of the gospel. 

Q. What other important events have distinguished this country ? 

A. The captivity of the Ten Tribes, by Psalmanazar, king 
of Nineveh ; the captivity of the Two Tribes, by Nebuchad¬ 
nezzar, king of Babylon; the conquests of the Greeks, the 
Romans, the Saracens, and the Christians of Europe, in their 
rusades, or holy wars ; and last of all, the conquest's of the 
Turks, who now hold possession. 



TURKEY. 


343 

tfc; What rendered the cities of Jerusalem and Antioch celebrated ? 

A. Jerusalen was the place where Christ was crucified, 
and Antioch, where his disciples were first called Christians. 

Q. What is peculiar to this country ? 

A. It was the place where the bible was given to man, and 
it is now the country where the bible is suppressed by the 
Koran ; it is now sunk in wretchedness, under the despotic 
government, and religion of the Mahometan church. 

Q. Which aro the large commercial cities of Turkey ? 

A. Aleppo, on the north of Syria, is the great central mart 
for the caravans, between Bassora and Bagdad on the east, 
and Constantinople on the west; Aleppo is to Constantinople, 
what Palmyra was to Tyre; it has a population of about 
250,000. 

Q. Which are the next most commercial cities ? 

A. Damascus, near the centre of Syria, famous for its elas¬ 
tic sword blades ; it has an extensive inland trade, and a pop¬ 
ulation of about 180*000. Smyrna is the great sea-port of 
Asia Minor, and has an extensive trade ; the plague.is often 
very destructive at Smyrna ; its population is about 140,000. 

Bagdad and Bassora are the great commercial cities in the 
eastern section of Turkey, and connect the commerce of In¬ 
dia apd Persia, with western Asia. Bagdad is famous for the 
residence of the Caliphs of the*Saracen empire 

Q. What ancient cities in ruins, are worthy of notice ? 

A. The cities of Jerusalem and Tyre, are renowned in sa¬ 
cred and profane history ; Baibec. the ancient Heliopolis of 
Phoenicia ; and Palmyra, of the desert. 

Jerusalem was the theatre of the most sublime scenes, that 
ever interested the family of* man ; it was the focal point of 
the Jewish and Christian churches, and is now sunk in Ma¬ 
hometan darkness ; but it shall again arise and shine with re¬ 
newed splendour ; “ her light being come ; and the glory of 
(he Lord having risen upon her.” 

Tyre w s famous for her wealth and commerce, in ancient 
days, and ter her remarkable sufferings by ancient sieges, as 
well as for her destruction, agreeable to the predictions of the 
Prophets. 

Baibec, or Heliopolis, is still famous for the ruins of her 
ancient temple of the sun. Palmyra is situated in the desert 
of Syria, and was formerly the resting place of the caravans 
of the desert ; its splendid ruins, bespeak the wisdom of Solo¬ 
mon. ! 

Q. What strong historical probability may bo traced fronr Baibec 

Heliopolis, and Tyre? 

V. Heliopolis and Tyre^were the an ;;ent splendid cities 





Su ■ ASIA. 

of Phoenicia, which ware famous for the idolatrous worship 
of the suo, and the bloody practice of human sacrifice ; the 
former was celebrated for its splendid temple of the sun, now 
in ruins. The same idolatrous worship, and splendid tem¬ 
ples of the sun, with the bloody rites of human sacrifice, were 
found in Mexico, in North America, when Cortes, the Span¬ 
iard, conquered it, iu the *16th century ; and the Mexicans 
are presumed to hare originated from this country. (£ee 
Mexico.) 


HISTORY. 


Q. What is the history of Turkey ? 

A. The Turkish history commenced with Othman, a Tar- 
tar chief, who put himself at the head of his clau, and began 
to commit deptedationsupon his neighbours, with such suc¬ 
cess, that his followers soon became numerous ; and he pen¬ 
etrated into the Saracen dominions, took Bagdad, and the cit¬ 
ies of the east. The Othmans, or Turks, continued their 
conquests, until they subdued all Syria and Palestine; they 
then passed over into Europe, and took Constantinople, in 
the year 1453, which continues to be the seat of their em¬ 
pire, to this day. 

In the year 1525, they conquered Egypt, and continued 
their conquests, until they had subdued all the stales of Bar- 
foary, -upon the north of Africa. 

The Turks, like the Saracens, embraced the religion of 
Mahomet, and enforced it with the sword. 

The Turks have attempted to extend their conquests in 
Europe, by a succession of crdbl and bloody wars ; but all 
Christendom united against the common enemy, and confined 
them to the limits of ancient Greece, in Europe. 

[The history of Turkey in Europe, has been noticed un¬ 
der that part of the empire.] 


Questions -—When and with whom did the Turkish history com¬ 
mence ? J 

When did the Turks pass over into Europe? what city did they take? 
tVfien did the lurks conquer Egypt ? what further conquests did they 
make r ■ > - • J > 


ARABIA. 

% W'hat are the situation and extent of Arabia r 

A' Arabia is situated, between Syria and Pale^tin.e ; © r Tar- 




ARABIA. 


345 


< I key, on the north ; between Turkey and the gulfs of Persia 
/ and Ormus, on the east ; the Arabian sea, on the south ; and 
I the Red sea, and isthmus of Suez, on the west. It is 1500 
| miles long and 1300 broad. Population l2,Q“0,000. 

/ Q WhaJ are the natural or physical divisions of Arabia ? 

A. Arabia is divided into three parts, viz. Arabia Petroea, 
or Stony Arabia, on the north ; Arabia Deserta, or the De¬ 
serts of Arabia, in the middle ; and Arabia Felix, or Arabia 
the Happy, on th’ south. . 4 

What are the face of the country, soil, productions, and climate ? 
A. The face of the country, in the two first divisions, is 
generally a barren, uncultivated waste; but the third, or 
sou 1 hern division, is fertile in a high degree, and produces 
^ rice, m ze, &c. : and abounds in frankincense, gums, bal¬ 
sams, honey, wax, spices, and all the tropical fruits. Hence 
the common expression, “the perfumes of Arabia.” The 
coffee of Mocha, near the straits of Babelmandel, is the best 
in the world. The climate is intensely hot. 

Q. What winds aro peculiar to Arabia ? 

A The Simoom, or Samiel, which often sudderdy overtakes 
the traveller and causes instant suffocation, unless he throws 
himself upon the ground, and holds his breath, until it has 
passed. The camel sticks'his nose into the sand until it has 

passed. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A A chain of mountains rises near the south-eastern coast 
I of Arabia, and following the coast in a circuitioys direction, 

! extends up to Mecca, where it shoots off a branch to the east, 
‘thence extending up to Medina, shoots off another, branch to 
the east. Near the head of the Read sea, stands Mount. Sinai, 

1 celebrated for the giving of the Moral Law, to the Jewish 
church. m 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? ^ . 

A. Arabia is almost wholly destitute of Kvers ; there is 
not one stream in the whole country, that deSeryes the name 
| of river ; they are very small. 

Q. Which are the animals of Arabia ? 

A. The horse has been noted for his speed and" beauty, 
from the earliest ages. The camel is common to Arabia, and 
peculiarly useful to carry burdens over the desert, because 
he can travel six or eight days without water, and can carry 
500 lbs. upon his back. 

Q. Which aro the chief towns ? 

A. Mecca and Medina; the former is famous for the birth 
of Mahomet; the latter for his death and splendid mosque, ia 




which he was buried, with its 300 lamps, that still illume the 
tomb of the prophet, with their perpetuaMight.t 

Q. What is worthy of notice in the sepulture of the Prophet ? 

A. Mahomet is laid in a leaden coffin, under a pall ot gold, 
richly ornamented; and hisjomb is the resort ot pilgrims, 
from all parts of fhe world, as far as his religion extends, j 

Q. Which are the commercial cities? 

A. The commercial cities of Arabia, are Mocha and Aden, I, 
jaear the straits of the Red sea, or Babeknandel ; also, Kesem, I 
the residence of the sovereign; Muscat, the great mart of | 
the east; and Suez, at the head of the Red sea. Sana is a 
city of very extensive commerce, and the most populous city 
in Arabia. Jidda, the port of Mecca, is a place of some trade. 

Qr What is the character of the Arabians ? 

A. The Arabians of the cities, are half civilized ; but the 
Bedouins, or Arabs of the Desert, are a wandering, plunder¬ 
ing race, that traverse the country in froops^ahd oblige the 
caravans to go under a military escort, to secure them against 
their attacks. 

Q. What is the government of Arabia ? 

A. The government of Arabia is despotic, but mildly ad¬ 
ministered. 

Q. What is the religion ? 

A. The religion is Mahometan; the basis of this religion i 
is the old Jewish patriarchal, with the-indulgence of polyga- j 
my ; enjoining washings.and prayer, after the manner of the 
Pharasees ; but omitting sacrifice, and prohibiting wine. 

Q. What is the literature of Arabia ? , 

A. The literature of Arabia began to flourish early, and the 
Arabs preserved the arts and sciences, through the whole pe¬ 
riod of the dark ages in Europe. One of the Caliphs of Ara¬ 
bia sent a striking-clock to Charlemagne, king of France, in 
the 9th century ; the first ever known in Franlce. 

Q. What is tho national character and power of Arabia ? 

A. The national character is low. The Arabians flourish¬ 
ed Under Mahomet and the Caliphs ; extended their con¬ 
quests ; and Arabia has never been conquered ; yet they 
lack all the essentials of national character and power, viz. a 
free government and religion, with industry, frugality, and the 
moral virtues. 

tThe Hegira, or flight of Mahomet, from Mecca to Medina, A. D, 
MS? is the epoch from whence the Mohometans compute time. 








PERSIA, 


§ ; m * 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history cf Avabia ? 

A. Arabia was first settled by Ishmael, the descendant of 
Abraham, by the bond woman, about 400 years alter the flood, 
it passed through no material changes, until Mahomet, the im¬ 
poster, published his religion, early in the 7th century, of the 
Christian era, and converted the Arabs into a natbnof sol¬ 
diers ; at the head of these, he subdued his own country, and 
enforced his religion with the sword. His successors.subdu¬ 
ed Egypt, and the states on the north of Africa ; passed over- 
into Europe, subdued Spain, and made an attempt upon 
France, that failed, about the middle of the 8th century. The 
Arabians or Saracens, at the same time, pushed their 
quests into the east, took Jerusalem, penetrated to Babylon, 
and destroyed it ; made themselves masters.of the Roman em¬ 
pire in Asia, as far as the river Indus , and about the year 770^ 
they built Bagdad,* for their capital, w.hich sigmAe* the city of 
peace. This city.was famous for the residence of the Caliph? 
of the east, until they were subdued by the .Turks, near the 
close of the 14th centnrv. In the 16th century, the Turks 
took the whole of Asia Minor and Syria ; in the year 1626, 
they conquered Egypt, and continued their conquests*in Afri¬ 
ca ; but Arabia remained at peace, and was never invaded. 

Questions.—W hen and by whom was Arabia first settled ? 

What event took place in the 7th century ? 

I What two cities did the Arabians take in the east ? what city did they 
build ? and for what was it famous ? 

PERSIA. 

Q. Wftat arc the situation and extent of Persia? 

A. P.ersia is bounded on the N. by Independent Tarfary 
and the Caspian sea j FT by Hindoostan and the mountains ©i 
Thibet ; S. by the gull!' of Persia and Ormus, and the Arabian 
Sea ; and W. by Tml ey. It is 1300 miles long, and llfl^ 
broad. 

Q,. What aro the divisions of Persia ? 

A. Persia, was formerly, under the 'monarchy, divided into 
eight provinces, bu- since the death oi Kouli Khan, it is divi¬ 
ded into East and West Persia ; and these*div isions are sub¬ 
divided into many, independent sovereignties, which arc im¬ 
perfectly known. The kingdoms of Cab'ul and Beloochistan, 
in East Persia, are the most important ©1 these sovereignties. 









348 


ASIA. 


Q. Wliat is the population of Persia ? ' : ' • %■ 

A. This is difficult lo ascertain, on account of the despotic 
governments ; estimated by Hassel, at 18,000,000. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The mountains of Caucasus, upon the north-west, that 
unite with the Koosh mounts, and Belur Tag, on the eastern 
part. 

Q. Which are the climate, soil, and productions ? 

A. The climate is; cold near the,mountains of Caucasus,' cr 
the Caucasian chain ; in the middle it is mild and temperate ; j 
but hot in the south. Persia produces all the fruits and 
vegetables of Turkey, with a variety of drugs, particularly 
|he gum asafoebda. Pearls are found in the Persia gulf. 

Q. What arc the minerals of Persia ? 

A. Copper lead, iron, Turquois stone, (called Turkey 
stone,) sulphur, salt-petre, and red, white, and black marble. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The principal rivers are, the Indus, on the east; the 
Aras, Kur, aodOxus,on the north ; the Mend on the south ; 
and a part of the Euphrates and Tigris, on the west; these 
are the only rivers of any note, in Persia. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? . 

A. Ttie principal cities of Persia are, Ispahan, Gombroon, 
Ormus, Shiras, Susa, formerly Shusban, Teheran, Tauris, 
Derbent, Hamidan or Ecbatana, Cabui, and Cashmere. Is¬ 
pahan, the ancient capital surpassed all the cities of the east, 
in its delightful situation, and magnificent palaces, mosques, 
Caravanseras, and other splendid buildings ; it contained a 
population of about 600,000 ; it is now in ruins, with a pop- 
tilation of about 60.000. Herat, Kelat, Peshnwur, and Canria- 
Tiar, are all cities of some note. Teheran is the modern cap¬ 
ital. 

Q. What are the commerce and manufactures of Persia ; * 

A. The commerce of Persia is principally carried on in 
caravans, across the country : and in foreign vessels :* they 
have no ships. Their manufactures consist of silks, woollens, 
carpets, leather. &c. ; the shawls of Cashmere, which is a 
city of East Persia, are of superior elegance. 

Q. What is their language and character ? 

A. Their language, like that of the French, is fluent, social, 
and pleasant ; much spoken in the east, and extensively ad¬ 
mired. They write, like the Hebrews, from the right to the 
left. The Persians, like the French, are social, courteous, 
and hospitable ; fond of dress, show and sportive amusements; ] 
they are temperate in their habits, yet fond of cefiee, tobacco, 
and opium. . 





PERSIA, 


349 


Q 0 What is the religion of Persia ? 

A, The ancient Persians worshipped the sun ; and the t'w.o 
Zoroasters, who attempted to reform their religion, introduces 
the worship of tire ; and taught them to watch, and preserve 
the sacred lamps, to render them perpetual. The forhie! 
Zoroaster flourished about 600 years before Christ. The 
Saracens introduced the Mahometan religion, in the 8th cell 
tury which is now the prevailing religion. 

Q. What are the curiosities of Persia ? 

A. The ruins of the ancient city, Persepolis, particularly 
of its famous temple of the sun, as at Heliopolis, in Phoenicia 
The royal tombs, cut out of the solid rock ; also, a napth; 
spring near the Caspian sen, which is of pure rock oil, as 
clear as water, and highly inflammable. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture ? 

A. It is very low, and but little attended to. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. The Persian literature, is much like their agriculture 
very low ; and the people are ignorant. 

Q. What is the government ? 

A. The government of Persia is in the hands of numerous 
despotic sovereigns, and the people are slaves. 

Q. What is the national power of Persia ? 

A. The national power of Persia exists only in name 
Persia is destitute of all the essentials that constitute nation 
al power; she has neither union, knowledge, industry, agri 
culture, or the moral virtues. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Persia ? 

Aj The history 7 of Persia was very little known, until tin 
reign of Cyrus, and the conquest of Babylon, which laid tin 
foundation of the Medo*Persian empire, about 500 years be¬ 
fore Christ. After this time, it gave law to the East and the 
West, with Babylon for its capital; and included the king 
doms of Assyria, Chaldea, Media and Persia, with Asia Minoiv 
Syria, and Egypt, embracing an extent of more than 127 prov 
inces. This vast empire was conquered by Alexander, the 
Greek, about 330 years before Christ, who reigned at Bab 
ylon six years and died ; and his empire was divided between 
his four principal generals. In the first century of tbe 

Questions. —When and under whose reign was the Medo-Persian em 
pire founded ? 

What became the character and extent of this empire ? 

When and by whom was it conquered ? 

30 






3&G> 


ASIA. 


Christian era, the Romans conquered this vast empire, with 
all its divisions, and held the dominion about 6 or 700 years. 
It was then conquered by the Saracens, or Arabians, who 
held the dominion about 600 years. It was then over-run by 
the Tartars, under Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, in the 1 3th 
and 14th centuries, who held the dominion, until they were 
expelled by Kouli Khan, a Sophi of Persia, in the beginning 
of the 18th century, when it was divided into a number of 
independent sovereignties, which still remain. The grand 
modern division is that of East and West Persia. 

The kingdom of Persia never tasted the sweets of liberty. 
The Persians, since the late Greek revolution commenced, 
have made several efforts to rise upon their neighbors, the 
Turks, and recover some *of their ancient provinces, but 
their want of union has hitherto defeated their attempts. 

When and how was the Grecian empire divided, and by whom ? 
When and by whom was it conquered ? 

When and by whom was the eastern Roman empire conquered ? 

Who became the next conquerers, and when? 

Who expelled the Tartars ? liberated his country ? when ? 

What is the present state of Persia? 

TART ARY. 

Q. What was the ancient name of Tartary, and what portions *1 
Asia does it now embrace ? 

A. The ancient name of Tartary, was Scythia, and the 
Tartars, by the ancients, were called Scythians, both in Eu 
rope and Asia. The whole extent of Northern and Middle 
Asia, may properly be denominated Tartary, or Scythia. 

Q. How is Tartary divided ? 

A. Tartary is divided into Russian Tartary, Siberia, or 
Russia in Asia ; Chinese Tartary, Independent Tartary, and 
Thibet. 


RUSSIA IN ASIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Russian Tartary, *r 
Russia in Asia ? 

A. Russia in Asia is bounded N. by the Frozen ocean ; E. 
by the Pacific ocean ; S. by Turkey, Independent Tartary, 
and Chinese Tartary ; and W. by Europe. It is about 4300 
miles l#ng and 2000 broad. 

Q. What are the civil divisions and population ? 

A. It is divided into 7 governments. The population is es= 
timated at about 10,000,000. 




TARTAUY. 


3.51 


Q. What is the climate f 

A. The climate is extremely cold in winter, in the north j 
but mild and temperate in the south. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The face of the country is broken and mountaiuous, on 
the south ; and covered with extensive plains, called steppes, 
throughout the interior, and in the northern parts. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The principal mountains, are the Ural, on the north? 
west ; the Altaian chain, on the south ; and the Caucasian 
chain, on the south-west. 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil is various ; and the productions are such as 
are common to the same latitudes, in Russia in Europe. 

Q. Which are the principal islands that belong to Russia in Asia ? 

A. The principal islands are the Kurile Isles, which are 
22 in number, but only four are inhabited ; also, Beering’s 
and Copper Isles, which are valuable only for their furs. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. The capitals are, Tobolsk, on the north ; Astrachan, on 
the south ; and Irkutsk, on the east. 

Q. How are these cities situated ? 

A. Tobolsk is situated at the confluence of the Tobol with 
the river Irtish; Astracan upon the Wolga, near its entrance 
into the Caspian sea ; and Irkutsk is situated upon the lake 
Baikal. 

Q. What is the character of these cities l 

A. Astracan is the next city in importance to Petersburg, 
and Moscow, in the Russian empire ; and has a very exten¬ 
sive commerce ; with a population of about 70,000. Tobolsk 
and Irkutsk, are the two inland cities, that connect the trade 
of Russia in Europe with China ; they have each a popular 
tion of about 15,000. 

Q. What is the government ? 

A. The government is subject to the emperor of Russia, 
and divided into the governments of Tobolsk, Irkutsk, 
Tomsk, Georgia, Caucasus, Orenburg and Astracan : the 
three first are in Siberia, and include the greatest part of 
Russia in Asia. 


CAUCASIAN RUSSIA. 

Q. How is Caucasian Russia divided ? 

A. It is divided into Circassia, Georgia, and Mingrelia. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Circassia ? 

A. It is situated upon the north of the Caucasian mounts ; 
and its character resembles Russian Tartary, generally. 


Q. What arc the situation and character of Georgia ? 

A. It is situated upon the south of the Caucasian chain, anci 
its character resembles Turkey, generally. Teflis is the 
capital of Georgia. 

Q. What characteristic feature is peculiar to this people ? 

A. They are noted for their fair complexions, and hand- 
some women. The Turks and Persians often seek wives 
here ; and the Grand Seignor supplies his seraglio principal- * 
3y from this country. 

Q. What are the religion and government of Georgia ? 

A. The religion is Mahometan, mixed with a corrupt Chris¬ 
tianity. The government is strictly feudal. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Mingrelia ? 

A. It is an extensive fertile plain, upon the borders of the 
Black sea ; and its character resembles Georgia. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Asiatic Russia : 

A. The history of Russia in Asia is immediately connected : 
with Russia in Europe. The whole Russian empire was one 
‘xteftsive region of Tartars or Scythians and barbarians, 
whose history was not known, until the year 862, when Ru- 
ric.. Grand Duke of Novogorod, at the head of his Scythians, 
attempted to take the city of Constantinople. 

In the year 901, king Wolidatoar was converted to Chris¬ 
tianity. 

In the year 1158, Andrew I. laid the foundation of Moscow 

About the middle of the 16th century, the Russians first 
discovered and conquered Siberia. About the same time, 
the English first began their commere with Russia. 

In the year 1571, the Tartars or Scythians, surprised and 
burnt Moscow, and massacred 30,000 people. 

In the year 1721, Peter I. claimed the title of Emperor, 
which was acknowledged by all the powers of Europe. 

From this time, the affairs of Russia took a new turn 
Peter devoted his whole attention to the improvement of his 
empire. He gave the people a new system of laws, which 
were well calculated to civilize the most barbarous nation in 
the world ; and he enforced the observance of his laws with 
the most rigid severity. He contemplated an inland naviga¬ 
tion from his new city, Petersburg, upon the Baltic sea, even 
to China, and carried his arms into the east, until he had 
subdued all the vast regions of Asiatic Russia ; and then car¬ 
ried into effect his plan of inland navigation, which is now in 
full operation. The cities of Tobolsk and Irkutsk connect 



tartary. 


353 

Petersburg with Chirm ; and the city of Astracan connects 
Petersburg with Independent Tartary, Persia, and India. 

I ne improvements made by Peter the Great, in his em¬ 
pire, were truly great, and they have been extended under 
his successors ; and the late emperor Alexander greatly im¬ 
proved the [empire, by pursuing the plans of Peter. Alex¬ 
ander gave a constitution to Russia, which has very much 
softened the despotic powers of the government; he pro¬ 
moted, as Tar as possible, every improvement in agriculture, 
manufactures,, commerce, and a general education among all 
• lasses of his subjects. His successor, the present emperor 
Nicholas, is pursuing the same policy, and the barbarians of 
Scythia are fast changing their ferocity, for the arts of civil¬ 
ized life. 


Questions. —When did the history of Asiatic Russia first commence 
Uy whom was it inhabited at this time ? 

What city did they attempt to take ? 

When did the Russians conquer Siberia ? 

Who was the first emperor ? what improvements did he make ? 

CHINESE TARTARY. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Chinese Tartary ? 

A. Chinese Tartary is situated between Russian Tartary 
on the north ; the Pacific ocean on the east ; Corea, the 
Yellow sea, China, and Thibet on the south ; and Independ¬ 
ent Tartary on the west. It is 2000 miles long and 600 broad. 

Q. What are the climate and face of the country ? 

A. The climate is temperate ; and the face of the coun 
try is one vast plain, intersected by extensive ridges of moun¬ 
tains* 

Q. What are the soil and productions ? 

A. The soil upon the rivers is fertile, and highly cultiva¬ 
ted in the eastern parts ; but in the interior it abounds with 
extensive plains of barren sands : the productions of the eas¬ 
tern parts are such as are common to China ; but in the inte¬ 
rior and on the west, the Tartars are merely wandering tribes, 
without agriculture, orihearts, and lead pastoral lives. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. The chief towns are Chenyang, Yarkund, and Cash- 
gar ; the former is the residence of the emperor of China, 
in summer ; and the latter the residence of his viceroy. 

Q. What is the religion of Chinese 'fartary ? 

A. The religion of the Grand Lama, of Thibet, generally 
prevails. 

30* 









354'- 


ASfA. 


HISTORY. 

What is the history of Chinese Tartary : 

A. The history of this region is very imperfectly known 
The western section formed a part of that ancient Parthia 
which the Romans attempted, at the expense of much blood 
and treasure, to erect into an empire, in subjection to Rome, 
but failed. The middle and eastern parts were peopled with 
fierce warlike tribes, who were continually harassing the 
Chinese, until the reign of the emperor Chiho-angtr, who 
caused the famous Chinese wall to be built, in the 3d century 
before Christ, which checked the depredations of the Tar¬ 
tars until the year 1635, when they succeeded in breaking 
over the wall, and in placing one of their princes upon the 
Chinese throne. 

In the 13th century Genghis-khan conquered the western 
parts, and laid the foundation of the Moguls empire. Near 
the-close of the 14th century, Tamerlane extended his con¬ 
quests into these regions, and enlarged the Moguls empire. 

In the i7th century, the Chinese carried their arms into 
Chinese Tartary, and broke the power of the Moguls. Since 
that time, Chinese Tartary has been generally quiet. 

Questions. —What nation attempted to erect the western section of 
Chinese Tartary into an empire ? 

When did the Tartars succeed in breaking over the Chinese wall? 
what was the consequence ? 

When and by whom was the foundation of the Moguls empire laid ? 
When did the Chinese carry their arms into Chinese Tartary ? what 
were the consequences 

INDEPENDENT TARTARY. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Independent Tartary? 

A. Independent Tartary is situated between Russian Tar¬ 
tary on the north ; Chinese Tartary on the east ; Persia on' 
the south ; and the Caspian sea on the west. It is about 700 
miles square. 

Q. What are the climate, soil, and face of the country ? 

A. The climate is warm in the south ; mild in the interi¬ 
or ; but cold in the north, in winter : the soil is fertile ; and 
the face of the country is pleasantly variegated with hill and 
dale. 

Q- Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The principal mountains are the Belur Tag, on the. 
east, that extends across the country, from north to south 
aad Hindoo Koosh, that extends from west to cast, and unites 
with the Himmaleh chain. 



THIBET. 


3&S 


Q. Which are tho principal rivers ? 

A. The principal rivers, are the Jihon and Sihon, 

Q. Which ore the chief towns ? 

A. Samarchand was the ancient capital, but it has greatjy 
declined. Koukan is a large and nourishing city, a place pi 
much trade, and the residence of the Khan, or Sovereign-.. 
Bokhara and Yarcnnd, are large cities, and have considerable 
trade ; the former is noted for its colleges. 

Q. What is the character of Independent Tartary P 

A. They have a mixed character : in the cities they are 
half-civilized, and possess the arts, and have some excellent 
manufactures. Butin the country, they have both the pas s 
toral and savage. character ,* they generally tend their flocks 
and herds, dwell in tents, and lead wandering lives ; they are 
noted for their tine horses, and have a preference for the 
flesh of that animal. 

Q. What is their religion ? 

A. Their religion, like their character, is mixed ; they 
are generally Mahometans and Pagans, 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Independent Tartary P 

A. The history of Independent Tartary shews, that tins 
was the nursery, from whence sprang Genghis-Khan, and 
Tamerlane, the conquerors of the east ; and Othman the 
Great, the conqueror of the west. 

Q. Why have they not become numerous, and raised up other con ¬ 
querors ? 

A. They have frequent and distressing massacres, and civ ¬ 
il wars, which arise out of their weak ami disjointed govern¬ 
ment, and keep down their numbers, and strength. The 
slaughter in their massacres, often amounts to several hun¬ 
dred thousand. 


THIBET. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Thibet? 

A* Thibet is situated between Chinese Tartary on tir£ 
north ; China on the east ; Hindoostan, and the Burraan em¬ 
pire on the south ; and Persia and Tartary on the west. P 
is about 1500 miles long, and GOO broad. Population about 
30,000,000. 

Q. What are the face of the country, climate, soil and productions ? 

A. The face of the country is an elevated range of table* 
liRid, the highest in the world, and inclosed by ranges of t&p 
highest mountain?, which give rise to all the jjreat rivers ia 




ASIA. 


356 

the south eastern section of Asia ; the climate is cool and 
temperate in summer ; but cold and severe in winter ; the 
soil is various, but generally very indifferent ; and the pro¬ 
ductions, such as are common to Tartary. The mountains of 
Thibet abound in minerals; 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. The chief town is Lassa, the residence of the viceroy, 
and of the Grand Lama, or God of the east. Lassa is built in 
the Chinese style ; its temples are numerous and splendid : 
and it is the extensive resort of the worshippers of the Grand 
Lama. 

Q. What is the religion of Thibet ? 

A. The religion of Thibet is composed of the religion of 
Brama, and heathen paganism, united in the Grand Lama, as 
the immediate object of worship. 

Q. What are the characteristic features of this religion ? 

A. The characteristic features are several, in particular. 
1st, The Grand Lama, like the idol of Juggernaut, resides in 
a most magnificent temple, near Lassa, upon the banks of the 
Burrampooter, and is secluded from the world. 2d, He is 
shown only upon particular occasions, and then in some re¬ 
mote part of the pagoda, or temple', seated upon a cushion, 
cross-legged, clad in the richest apparel, and covered with 
jewels, od, He never speaks, or returns any mark of atten¬ 
tion to any of his worshippers, however exalted their rank or 
character, excepting an occasional mark of his favour, that is 
sometimes bestowed upon some particular favourites, by lay¬ 
ing his hand upon their heads. 

Q. What views have his worshippers of his divinity ? 

A. They believe him to be immortal ; possessed of all 
knowledge, and virtue ; and that when he appears to die, he 
only changes his old body for a young one, and lives again in 
some young child, which his priests select for the purpose. 
Such a young child the priests actually do select, upon the 
death of the Grand Lama, and introduce into the temple, and 
consecrate to the high office of divinity, with all possible so¬ 
lemnity, pomp, and parade. 

G. Is this divinity known, and worshipped throughout Tartary ? 

A. This divinity is not only known and worshipped through¬ 
out Tartary, but even the emperor of China acknowledges 
the divinity of the Grand Lama, and does him homage. Thi¬ 
bet is now tributary to China. 

Q. What are the rites of sepulture ? 

A. They first burn the bodies of the dead, and then bury 
jfteir ashes on some chosen eminence. The Grand Lama is 


CHINA 


357 


buried in a coffin of gold, amidst the sacred lamps ; and the 
priests, in theii turns, watch, and feed the consecrated fires, 
after the manner of Persia, that they may never be extirv- 
guishetfc 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Thibet ? 

A. The kingdom of Thibet formfed a grand division of tht 
Moguls empire, under the Gonquests of Genghis-khan &. Tam 
erlane, until it was conquered by the Chinese, in. the 17th 
century. 


CHINA. 

Q. What are ttye situation and extent of China ? 

A. China is situated between Chinese Tartary on the 
north ; Yellow sea, and Pacific ocean on the east ; Chinese 
sea, Tonquin, and Burman empire on the south ; and Chi¬ 
nese Tartary, and Thibet on the west. It is about HOC 
miles long and 1200 broad. 

Q. What are the civil divisions of China ? 

A. China is divided into 17 provinces. 

Q. What is the population of China? 

A. The population is estimated at about 300,000,000, ac¬ 
cording to Sir George Staunton ; but the true estimate is sup 
posed to he 180,000,000. 

Q. What are the face of the country and climate ? 

A. The face of the country is generally level, and the cli¬ 
mate is mild and salubrious. 

Q. What are the productions of China ? , 

A. The productions are such as are common to Hindoos- 
tan, and the south of Europe ; and the southern parts yield 
two crops in a year. Rice is very extensively cultivated'.. 
The tea plant is peculiar to this country ; the leaves are 
gathered at certain seasons, and rolled tip by hand, and dried : 
the difference in the seasons of gathering, causes the differ: 
ence in the quality of the several kinds of tea. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The principal rivers, are the Hoang-Ho, and Kiang-Ku 
with their tributary streams ; these rivers rise in Chinese 
Tartary and Thibet, and water a country of about 2000 miles 
in extent. 

Q. What other water communications has China ? 

\. The numerous canals, that intersect the-counlrv in all dr* 


ASIA. 


rections, and communicate with the great canal, that extends 
through the country, from north to south, more than 600 
fpiles. These canals form a chain of communication with all 

the great cities of the nation. 

Q. How is the navigation of the canals conducted ? 

A. It is conducted in square built vessels, called junks, 
adapted to the convenience of whole families, who often spend 
all their days upon the water. 

Q. Which are the chief towns? 

A. The chief towns are Pekin, on the north, which is the 
capital, and residence of the court in winter, with a popula¬ 
tion of about 2,000,000. Nankin, in the centre, which was 
formerly the residence of the court, and at that time, larger 
than Pekin. Canton, in the south, is the great mart for for¬ 
eign trade, with a population of about 2,000,000. Foreign¬ 
ers are not admitted into any of the cities of China, and only 
into the suburbs of Canton, for the purpose of trade. In the 
harbour of Canton, are often seen • more than 5000 ships of 
foreign nations, in quest of the productions of China. China ! 
boasts of more than 4000 walled cities. 

Q. Which are the principal exports ? 

A. The principal exports are silks, cottons, nankeens, 
teas, and porcelain. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture and the arts ?. 

A. The state of agriculture is under the highest possible 
improvement ; for the more immediate encouragement of ag¬ 
riculture, the emperor celebrates an annual public festival, 
in the open field, in honour of the plough : and the arts 
flourish in China. 

Q. W’hat is the state of manufactures and commerce ? 

A. The state of manufactures is under very high improve¬ 
ment ; and their commerce is extended throughout the world ; 
hut it is carried abroad altogether by foreigners. The Chi¬ 
nese have no commerce of their own, beyond the limits of 
their country. 

Q. What is the state of literature ? 

A. The literature of China is wholly confined to the higher 
orders of society ; but we have no knowledge of their litera¬ 
ry institutions : the poor people are very ignorant. 

Q. What is the government ? 

A. The government of China is absolute ; yet the emper- 
oj is not a tyrant, but the hither of his people. 

Q. What is the religon ? 

A. The religion of China, is the Paganism of the Grand 
llama, and of Fo or Budhu ; but all religions are tolerated,. 





CHINA. 


o9 


Which are the curiosities ? 

A. The great wall rtmks among the first of the curiosities, 
it extends about 1500 miles from east to west; it is carried 
over the highest mountains, and crosses four times the great 
river Hoang-Ho ; this wall is 20 feet high and 15 feet thick*, 
and defended by towers, against the northern Tartars. Next 
to their great wall may be ranked their numerous canals. 

Q. What is the antiquity of this wall ? 

A. The antiquity is too remote for tradition ; it is suppos¬ 
ed to be more than 2000 years. 

Q. What customs are peculiar to China? 

A. The custom of laying a solid wall on the front of their 
houses, without windows, and placing their windows in the 
back part of their houses. The higher ranks confine the feet 
©f their females, in infancy, in iron, or wooden shoes, to pre¬ 
vent their growth, which renders it difficult for them to walk 
at mature age. Polygamy is tolerated, and woman is a slave. 

CHINESE ISLES. 

Q. Which are the Chinese isles ? 

A. The Chinese Isles are Hainan, Formosa, Leoo Keo®, 
*r Loo Choo Isles, and Macao. 

Q. What are the situation and productions of Hainan, and the 
«ther isles ? 

A. Hainan is situated off the coast of Tonquin ; it produc¬ 
es gold, lapis-lazuli, kc. The natives are a small, swarthy 
race, who obtain a scanty support : about one half of the isl¬ 
and belongs to the Chinese. Formosa lies off the coast of 
China, under the tropic of Cancer, and is more valuable ; it 
produces two crops of rice, and other kinds of grain, in a sea¬ 
son ; it abounds in valuable trees, forests, quadrupeds, kc .; 
it is owned’partly by the Chinese, and partly by independent 
natives ; the capital of this isle is a rich and valuable city, 
built in the Chinese style. 

The Loo Choo Isles are a cluster, 36 in number, tributary 
to China : they are imperfectly known. The principal of 
this cluster is the Great Loo Choo. They are an honest, in¬ 
dustrious people, who are remarkably nice in their agricul¬ 
ture ; but are without money. 

Macao is a small island in the harbor of Canton, which was 
given to the Portuguese in the 16th century, to encourage 
trade. 


seo 


ASIA. 


HISTORY 

Q. What is the history of China ? 

A. The Chinese value themselves upon their antiquity, anti 
often attempt to trace back their origin, to a period betoie 
the flood, and sometimes before the creation ; but the most 
learned investigation of Chinese chronology, shews their em¬ 
pire to have been founded by prince Yeo, or Yu, about 2200 
years before Christ, which now gives them a period of more 
than 4000 years. 

During the early ages of the empire, they were harassed 
by the northern Tartars, until they built the great wall tor 
their security, about 250 years before the Christian era ; but 
in the year i635, the Tartars broke over the wall, and sub 
clued China, and placed a Tartar dynasty upon the throne. 

To secure the peace of the empire, the emperor resides 
in Chinese Tartary, at the city of Chenyang, in summer ; and 
at Pekin, in China, in winter. 

Q. What has preserved the unity of China so long ? 

A. Several important principles in their government : 1st, 
they exclude all foreigners from their cities and.country, un¬ 
less clothed with some public mission, either civil or reli¬ 
gious. 2d, they carry on no foreign commerce, except in 
foreign ships, and even these are not permitted to enter their 
cities to trade. 3d, they never emigrate, nor travel abroad, 
to learn the manners and customs of other nations ; this per¬ 
petuates their love of country. 4th, they have never made 
any foreign conquests, among a luxurious, effeminate people, 
to corrupt their government and nation ; and have no foreign 
alliances. 5th, the genius of their government has ever been 
peace ; the cultivation of the arts, and the improvement of 
their country. 6th, the vast regions of Tartary and Thibet 
have protected China from the great conquests from the west 
and centre of Asia, and left them to enjoy their own tranquil 
Sty, until they were conquered by the northern Tartars in 
1635. 

The Portuguese visited China in the year 1586, and to en¬ 
courage their trade, the emperor granted to them the island 

Questions. —What are the views of the Chinese of their antiquity 
what is their true origin and period ? 

When and by whom was the great wall of China built, and for wha't 
purpose ? 

When did the Tartars Weak over the wall and conquer China ? 

What plan has the emperor pursued to pr eserve the peace of the enj - 
pire ? 

What has preserved the unity of the empire for s6 long a time c 





COREA, 


o 3Bl 

of Macao, in the harbor of Canton, which they hold to this 
time. 

The Pope sent missionaries to China, in the year 1692, ot 
the order of the Jesuits, who met with some apparent sue 
cess, until they began to meddle with the government; then 
the emperor expelled them, 1742. The English govern 
ment attempted to establish a diplomatic intercourse with Chi 
na, in 1792, and sent lord McCartney for this special pur 
pose ; but the imprudence of jfhe mission excited a jealousy 
which defeated its object. 

The United States will doubtless enjoy a free trade with 
China, from the mouth of the Columbia, in a few years ; ane 
rich and flourishing cities will rise up on the western shore* 
of our continent. Before one half century has elapsed, the 
commerce of China will enrich the cities and villages, that 
will rise up in the extensive vale of the western Columbia, 
The productions of China and" India, will then come inf' 
America through this channel, cheaper than they now come, 
by the way of the Cape of Good Hope. 

When did the Portuguese first visit China, and what‘favors did tin 
emperor grant them ? 

When did the Pope send missionaries into China, and what was 
result? £, 

When did the British government attempt to establish a diplomat 
intercourse with China, and what was the result ? v. 

What are the prospects of a commercial intercourse between the we 1 ' 
tern coast of America and Chma ? 


COREA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Corea: 

A. it is a kingdom of Asm, bounded N. by Chinese TarU 
Fy ; E by the gulf of Corea ; S. by the strait of Corea ane 
the Chinese sea; and W. by the Yellow sea* It is about 
§00 miles long and 150 broad. 

Q. What are ihc civil divisions and population ? 

A. This peninsula is divided into 8 provinces. Population 
estimated at G or 80o,0’K). 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? • v 

A. These are numerous, and are divided into the three foi 
lowing classes, viz. 33-ofth J first class; called fru; 58 of the 
second class, called tcheovs ; and 70 of the third class, called 
men; beside? 40 grand cities, called kivn. King-ki-too is the 
capital. 


"5 1 



ASIA. 


362 * 

Q. What arc the face of the country, soil, productions, and climate - 

A. The face of the country upon the north is rough, moun¬ 
tainous and barren ; but in the interior and south it is level 
and fertile. It produces silk, cotton, flax, &c. j and the Co- 
reans raise great numbers of cattle, &c. 

Q. What are the government and religion ? 

A. The government is absolute ; but the king is tributary 
to the emperor of China. The religion of Fo or Budhu is 
the principal. 


JAPAN. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Japan ? 

A. The empire of Japan is situated upon several islands 
that lie off the coast of Chinese Tartary; the principal of 
which, are Niphon, Ximon, and Xicoco, with the tributary- 
isle of Jesso. 

Q. What are the dimensions and population of these isles ' 

A. See the following table : 

Islands. Length. Breadth. 

Niphon, 700 miles .200 miles 

Ximon, 200 u - 140 “ 

Xicoco, 90 “ 50 “ 

The population of Japan, according to Cannabich^Hassel. 
and others, is estimated from 10 to on,000,000. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil, and productions ? 

A. It is generally rugged and mountainous ; some of the 
mounts are covered with perennial snow ; the sod in the val¬ 
ues |s fertile, and highly cultivated ; and the productions are 
rice, barley, beans, &c. ; ffgs, oranges, lemons, and other 
fruits are common. . 

Q. What are the minerals'? 

A. Gold, copper, tin, iron, sulphur, coal ; also, agates, 
cornelian, and jasper ; pearls, ambergrise and camphor. 

Q. V’ Inch are the capitals ? 

A. Jeddo, Meuco, and Nangasaki. 

Q. What are their manufactures? 

A. They consist principally of silk, cotton, and lacquered, 
or japanned ware the latter is varnished with the juice of a 
tree. ~ 

Q. What is the government ? ^ 

A. Japan is under the government of a spiritual, and a tern- 
?°ral ruler ; the former, called the Dairi* resides at Meaco : 
the latter, called Cubo Su'ma, resides at Jeddo, has a fortified 
palace, and a revenue of £28,000,000, 


HINDOOSTAN. 


363 


HINDOOSTAN, 

OR INDIA WITHIN TIIE GANGES. 

ti. What are the situation ancl extent of Hindoestan ? 

A. it is bounded N. by the Hitnmaleh mounts, that divide 
\t from Thibet; E. by Assam, the Birman, empire, and the 
bay of Bengal ; and W. by the Arabian sea and Persia. It 
is 1800 miles long and !600 broad. 

Q. What are the civil divisions of Hindoostan? 

A. It consists of three grand divisions, the Northern, Mid¬ 
dle, and Southern provinces ; these are governed by a great 
number of independent sovereigns. * 

Q. Why is this country called the Great Peninsula of India ? 

A. Because the sources of th£ Ganges nearly unite with 
the sources ofjhe Indus, which falls into the Arabian sea. 
(See the atlas.) 

Q. What is tho climate ? • 

A. It is temperate in the northern parts, hut hot in the 
southern, and subject to periodical rains, of three months du¬ 
ration. * 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? ; :) . 

A. The East and West Gauts. 

Q. What are the productions ? 

A. In the north it abounds with all the productions common 
to Persia ; and in the south, wi h all the variety of tropical 
fruits, such as oranges, limes, lemons, figs, pomegranates, &c. 

Q. What arc the mines and minerals ? 

A. Gold and silver, and the diamonds of Golconda, which 
are famous throughout the world. Upon the southern coast 
is a noted pearl fishery. 

Q. What fierce animal is peculiar to Hindoostan? 

A. The royal tiger of Bengal, the most fierce and beautiful 
of all the animals of the forest. 

Q. Which are the principal rivers ? 

A. The Ganges, Indus. Hoogla, Kistna, and Burrampoo- 
ter ; these all overflow their banks during the rainy reasons ; 
but the inundations of the Ganges and Burrampooter extend 
more than 100 miles in width. 

Q. Which are tho principal bays and gulfs ? 

A. The bay of Bengal, and the gulf of Cambay. 

Q. Which is the principal cape ? 

A. Cape Comorin on the south. 

Q. Which are the ehieftowns ? 

A. Delhi, the ancient capital of the Moguls, and formerly 




384 ASIA, 

the capital of Hindoostan : Hydrabad, Seringapatam,*&c . 
Calcutta is the capital of British India on the Coromandel 
coast ; and-Bombay on the Malabar coast. Benares, Surat, 
Madras, Lucknow, &c. are flourishing cities, with a popula 
lion of S to 500,000. 

Q. What are the population andjcharacter of Hincloostan ? 

A. The native Hindoos consist of about 100,000,000, dis I 
anguished by their long, black hair ; tall, straight, and gen» 
teel persons ; pleasant and agreeable, though dark and 
swarthy countenances. The Moors, or Mahometans, consist 
of about 10,000,000, of an indifferent character. 

Q. What is the commerce ? 

A. Extenseve, like China, and conducted upon the same 
principles. This commerce is earned on in foreign ships • 
and money is the. principal article received in payment for 
the various commodities of India. 

Q. What is the government-? 

A. This is .founded on custom, and their religion ; without | 
written laws ; and what is remarkable, not one lawyer is 
known in Hindoostan. 

Q. What divisons in society are peculiar to Hindoostan ?. 

A. They are # divided Into four tribes, or castes ; 1st, Bra- 
mins ; 2d, soldiers ; 3d, laborers ; and 4th, mechanics : and 
these have a variety of sub-divisions. 

Q. What influence does this have upon society ? 

A. It regulates the social ranl^s of life, and prevents all in¬ 
tercourse and interm images between the different castes. It 
also regulates their diet, allowing to the higher castes the use 
of animal food, but confining the lower castes to the use of 
vegetable food. 

Q. What constitutes the principal food of the lower, castes ? 

A. Rice, and other Vegetables; they also use milk, and 
some spices. 

Q. What constitutes the amusement and enjoyments of the Hin¬ 
doos ? . 

A. These are generally confined to domestic life ; and al- j 
though their laws ancl religion tolerate polygamy, they seldom 
have more than one wife-; and she, according to custom, 
burns herself upon the body of her husband, if she survives 
him. 

Q. What is the religion ? 

A. The religion of BramVis the religion of Hindoostan. 
The fundamental doctrine of this religion is, that men at death 
are changed into those anmials, whose natures are most con¬ 
genial to their characters in life ; hence the reason why they 
study to be' affable, pleasant, and agreeable : and when thev 




HINDOOSTAN. 305 

can attain to a stale of perfect innocence, then they are ad¬ 
mitted to heaven. 

Q. What are their modes of worship? 

A. Their idolatry extends to a great variety of animals, fig^ 
ures and forms, like the Egyptians, mixed with the most ab 
surd superstition, yet they acknowledge one Supreme Being, 
and Brama their head, as next to him in the universe. 

Q. What is the style of their temples and worship ? - 
A. Splendid and magnificent; and they support their Bra- 
mins or priests, in great splendor. Their religion regulates 
all their affairs, both as to dress, fashion and food. 

Numerous missionary stations are established in India for 
the propagation of Christianity, and the missionaries, since 
the year 1800, have translated the bible into about 20 of the 
oriental languages, and are still pursuing the business with 
great zeal and perseverance. * ' • 7 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Hindoostan ? 

A. India within the Ganges, or Hindooslnn, formed a part 
of the Moguls empire, about three centuries and a half, until 
the year 1738, when it was overrun by Kouii Khan, the Per¬ 
sian, wjio dissolved the unity of the empire, and left it at the 
disposal of a £reat number of independent chiefs, who ren¬ 
dered the whole country a theatre of civil wars. 

In the year 1497, the Portuguese, under Vasco tie Gama, 
explored the Indian ocean ; discovered Hindoostan ; touch¬ 
ed at Calicut, on the Malabar coast, and returned to Lisbon. 
In the year 1506, the Portuguese commenced the settlement 
of Goa, where they established an inquisition , that continues 
to this day. 

In the year 1591, the English.commenced their discoveries 
in India, and in December',, 1600, the first British East India 
company was.chartered, with a capital of £72,000 ; and the 
next year, they made their first India voyage In 1689, anew 
company was formed > and in 1700, the first company was 

Questions. —When and by whom was Hindoostan severed from *Jie 
Moguls empire, and what were the effects ? 

"When and by whom did the Portuguese discover Hindoostan ? 

When did they found the city of Goa, and what religious institution 
did they found i* 

When did the English commence their discoveries in India, and what 
have been the consequences ? 

What other European nations extended their commerce to India: 
when and what have been the consequences ? 

31* 





366 


ASIA. 


re-established, for which they agreed to pay to government i 
the sum of £400,000 tor five years. In 1773, Great Britain 
passed her India bill ; and in 1774, she sent out judges from 
England, to preside over her India possessions. 

The Dutch, French, and Danes, all commenced a com¬ 
merce with India, early in the 17th century, and established j 
India companies, after the manner of the English. j 

These settlements commenced a rival interest between the 
English, French, and Dutch, that has raged in India, from 
time to time, with great severity ; but the English have final¬ 
ly triumphed over their rivals, and established an indepen¬ 
dent sovereignty in India, that includes more than 350,000 
square miles, and a population of more than 5^,000,000 with- j 
in the limits of llindpostan. 

BRITISH INDIA. 

Q. What countries arc called British India ? 

A. Bengal, Bahar, part of Allahabad, Orissa, the northern 
Oicars, Jaghire in the Carnalick, the countries about Calicut 
on the north of the Malabar coast, Bombay and Salsette ; 
also the Alliances of the Nabobs ofOude', and Carnatick, with 
Tanjore and Mysore; together with the Rajah ofTraven- 
core, and the country of Cochin. 

Qi What, is the capital of British India, and how is it situated ? 

A. Calcutta ; it stands upon the. Hoogly, one of the branch¬ 
es of the Ganges, 100 miles from the bay ; the river is navi¬ 
gable for ships of 500 tons to this city, but larger ships stop 50 
miles below. It is composed of Europeans and Hindoos, with 
a mixture of European and Hindoo'manners and customs, and 
houses ; imd has a population of about 700,000, all lorming a 
most ludicrous variety. 

Calcutta is a place of great trade, and the amount of its ' 
commerce exceeds £10,000,000 annually. 

Q. Which is the next important station on the coast ? 

A, Madras , a post and town of some importance. It 
\s the capital of the presidency of Fort Georgey or Madras, 
that comprehends nearly the whole of India, south of the riv¬ 
er Thistrah, and a large province in the Deccan, called the 
northern Cicars ; but it is subject to the governor general of 
Bengal The population of the presidency of Madras exceeds 
22,000,000. It has a very extensive trade. 

Q. Which are the most important stations on the Malabar coast ? 

A, Bombay, Surat, Tellechcrrv, Cananore, Goa, Calicut, 




IIIN'DOOSTAN. 


367 


and Cochin. These embvace the whole extent of sea coast 
in Hither India, south of the tropic of Cancer. 

Q. What curiosities are found at Bombay ? 

A. A curious figure of an elephant, cut out of stone ; and 
a stupendous church cut out of a large, coarse rock, contain¬ 
ing three figures of gigantic size ; the church is 90 ieet long, 
pnd supported by lofty pillars : the native Hindoos never had 
the arts. 

Q. What particular improvements have been made in British India ? 

A. In 1690, the English first founded a factory atCalcutta, 
which they afterwards fortified, and called fort William. In 
1753—9, they built a new fort one mile below, upon the bank 
of the river, to which they transferred the name of the old 
fort. The marquis of Wcilesley established a college at Cal¬ 
cutta ; and in 1316, the Hindoos instituted another college, 
that their sons might acquire European learning. In 1820, a 
missionary college w r as instiluted, under the direction of the 
bishop, jwith very considerable endowments, for the instruc¬ 
tion of native Hindoos, to prepare them to become preach¬ 
ers and schoolmasters. 

ISLES OF H1NDOOSTAN. 

Q. Which arc the isles of Hindoostan ? 

A. Ceylon, the Maldives and Laccadives. 

Q. What arc the productions of Ceylon ? 

A. Ceylon produces cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, with 
various spices ; together with great quantities of rice. 

Q. Which are the most noted animals ? 

A. Elephants, tigers, &c. 

Q. What are its minerals ? 

A. Gold, silver, lead, and precious stones. It has also a 
pearl fishery, worth five million of dollars annually. 

Q. Which are the capitals ? 

A. Candia, for the natives ; and Colombo, for the English, 
who are in possession of the coasts of the island. Trinko- 
maly is the naval station for this part of British India, and has 
a most valuable harbor ; but Point tie Galle is the chief com ¬ 
mercial port. . 

The Portuguese took possession of Ceylon in 1505, and 
were expelled by the Dutch, in 1G18. The Dutch settle¬ 
ments were captured by the British, in 1796, who became 
masters of the whole island in 3815. Ceylon is now formed 
into one of the governments of British India. Pepulafitm 
1.500,000. It i c one ef the gre^t missionary stations, 




ASIA. 


360 

Q. What is the character of the oth«*r isle* 
A. They are of little value. 


FARTHER INDIA, 

OR INDIA BEYOND THE GANGES. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of this peninsula 

'A. It lies between China and Thibet, on the north ; the 
Chinese sea and gulf of Siam, on the east; the straits of Ma¬ 
lacca* on the south ; and Hindoostan, and the bay of Bengal, j 
®n the west. It is 2000 miles long and 1000 broad. 

Q. How is it divided ? 

A. Into 7 independent sovereignties, viz. Birman Empire. 
Assam, Siam, Laos, Malacca, Cambodia, Cochin China and 
Ton quin. 

BIRMAN EMPIRE. 

Q. What is the situation of the Birman Empire ? 

A. It lies upon the western section, and embraces the king¬ 
doms of Ava, Pegu, and Aracan. 

Q. What a?-e the productions ? 

A. Wheat, rice, tobacco, sugar, indigo, cotton, with all the 
tropical fruits. 

Q. What forest trees arc noted in this empire ? 

A. The te'ek-tree, considered mtfre durable for ^hips than 
ced ar, or live oak. The teek-ships of Calcutta are highly 
valued in England. 

Q. What are the minerals ? 

A. Gold, silver &c. in great abundance : also, the ruby of i 
Pegu, and amber, upon the river Irrawady. 

Q. What is the capital r 

A. The ancient capital^ Ava and Pegu, are fallen into de- g 
cay, and the new capital, Urnrnerapoora, on the Irrawady, is a T 
most splendid city, and appears, like Venice, to rise out of' 
the waters of a bike, which is contiguous to it ; the gilded 
spires of their,temples, like those of Moscow, give this city a 
delightful appearance.- . ~ J f 

Q. Which is thq great mart of this empire ? 

A. Rangoon : a ad coat fins a population of about 30,000. 

Q-. What is the government of this empire ? 

A. Despotic ; and the laws of ancient Persia are in force 
here, which inflicted punishment upon the wife and children. 

the offences of the husband and father. 





INDIA. 


3 f>9 


9* What is the religion ? 

The religion of Brama ; the same as Hindoostan. 

9« What is tho character of the Birmans ? 

A. They-are an ambitious, enterprising people, very in¬ 
genious, and fond of the arts ; but so anxious to increase their 
population, as to prohibit the emigration of their women. 


SIAM. 

Q. How is the kingdomSiam situated ? 

A. Between the extensive ranges of two lofty mountains 
upon the borders of the river Meinam. It isMboul 500 miles 
long, and from 50 to 2£0 broad. 

iD* What are the face of the country and climate ? 

“‘A. It is a vast and extensive plain ; the climate is hot, and 
* 'ft^ubject to periodical rains, like Hindoostan, which inun- 
date the country, and oblige them to -build their houses on 
the eminences; or spiles. During these inundations, they 
have their intercourse entirely by boats. 

Q. What are the productions ? 

A. The same as Binnah, and Hindoostan.. 

Q. What is the capital ? 

A. Siam, situated upon.an island in the river Meinam, near 
the head of thegulf r of Siam.; this is a large and flourishing 
city, with an extensile wall. . • 

Q. What is their government ' 

- A. Despotic ; the king is the only proprietor of the soil ; 
his will is law, and this he enforceswith the sword ; he keeps 
a strong military force. 

Q. What is their religion :’ 

A. The religion of Brama ; they, like the Birmans, sup¬ 
port their temples and priests, in great splendour and magnitl 

cencc. . . i. ’ 

ASSAM. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Assam ? 

A. It is situated upon the northwest of Farther India ; 
and is bounded N. by Thibet; E. upon regions unknown; 
S. by Meckiey ; and W. by Hindoostan. It is 700 miles long 
and about 70 broad, upon an average. 

Q. What arc tho face of the country, soil and productions ? 

A. The face of the country is mountainous in the northern 
parts ; the soil is very fertile in the vallies, and produces 
pepper, cotton, &c. Gold is the principal mineral produc¬ 
tion. 


Q. Which is the capital city ? 

A. Ghergong was the former capital, but Jorhat is the pre 
sent capital. Bungpoor is the principal military station. 

Q. Which are the principal articles of commerce ? * 

A. Gold, ivory, lac, silk, pepper, cotton, &c.; together 
with gunpowder, in great quantities. 

< Q. What is the character of this people ? , 

A. They are represented as being without religion, or huv. 
indolent, dissolute, ignorant and poor, in one of the most fer¬ 
tile countries in the world. 

MALACCA, OR MALAYA. ' 

Q. What are the situation and extent of this peninsula. 1 

A. It lies between Siam on the north ; the Chinese sea on j 
the east ; the straits of Malacca on the south-west ; and the 
bay of Bengal on the west. It is about-600,miles long and 
120 broad. ' v • 

Q. What are the climate, face of the country, and productions ? 

A. The climate is ho* ; the face of the country abounds 
with forests ; and the productions ai;e, rice and pepper, with 
valuable spices and woods ; also, tin, gold dust, &c. 

Q. What is their character ? " 

A. They .are -a restless, robbing, treacherous race, often 
addicted to piracy, in which they are very desperate in their 
attacks upon foreign sfiips. 

Q. What is their religion ? , . . . >• 

A. Mahometan. -j. 

Q. Wdiat is peculiar to their language ? 

A. It is, like the French in Europe, a pleasant, familiar lan¬ 
guage, and generally spoken throughout the east. 

Q- What Europeans enjoy their commerce, and what is their cap¬ 
ital ? . - 

A. The English hold possession of Malacca, the capital, 
and have a general controul of their commerce ; they have a 
college there. 

Q. What islands are upon this coast ? » 

A. Andeman, and Nicobar isles. 

Q. What is the character of the great isle of Andeman ? 

A. It possesses a rich soil ; abounds with wild hogs, and 
monkeys ; and hasva population of about 2000 negroes, like 
those of Africa. 

Q. What nation is now attempting to settle this island ? 

A. The English, by sending their convicts from Bengal to 
Andeman, . 



ASTATIC ISLES. 


371 


Q. What is peculiar to the Nicobar isles ? 

A. They are three in number, and produce a bread fruit’, 
that will weigh 20 or 30 pounds each. 

LAOS AND CAMBODIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of these kingdoms,? 

A. They lie upon the extensive river Mecon, with China 
on the north, and the Chinese sea on the south, skirted on 
the east and west by two extensive ranges of mountains. 

Q. What are the climate, face of the country, and productions ? 

A. The climate is hot ; the face of the country level , 
and the productions, are rice, benzoin, musk, and gamboge. 
It also affords ivory, and the valuable woods. 

Q. What is the population ? 

A. They are a mixture of Chinese, Malayans, &c. ; but 
their number is not known. 

COCHIN CHINA, AND TONQUIN. 

/ 

Q. What are the situation and extent of these kingdoms ? 

A. They extend from China on the north, to the Chinese 
sea, and the bay of Tonquin, on the south and east ; and are 
; divided from Laos and Cambodia, by an extensive range of 
| mountains. 

Q. What are the productions i 

A. The productions, are rice, sugar, &c. ; with all the tro - 
I pical fruits. , 

[ Q. What is their capital ? 

A. Kesho, upon the river Songkoi, near the gulf of Ton 
«uin ; it is a large aod populous city. 

I Q. What is the government ?. 

A. Absolute. The government of Cochin China has uni - 
I ted Tonquin to its dominions, by conquest. 

I Q. What is the character of this kingdom ? 

A. They are o* Chinese extraction, and dwell in bamboo 
huts, thatched with rice straw. The higher ranks are cloth¬ 
ed in silks ; but the lower classes wear very little clothing. 
Their houses in the country, generally, stand in some de¬ 
lightful grove, enriched with spices, and tropical fruits. 


Stefa tie Xsl ■». 

( « • 4 ' b - > • # ' V 

& Which are the islands termed Asiatic Isles ? 

A. The isles of Sunda, Borneo, Manillas, or Philippine 
s les ;• the Celebes, and Moluccas, or Spice islands. 




372 


ASIA. 


m SUNDA ISLES. , , - J . 

Q. Which arc the Sunda Isles 

A. Sumatra, Java, Timor, and several others, lying south 
of India beyond the Ganges. 

Q. What is the extent of Sumatra ? 

A. It is 960 miles long, and from 50to 130 broad. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The interior consists of one vast range of mountains; 
which extend through the island. 

Q. What is the height of this ridge ? 

A. Where it crosses the equator, it is called mount Ophir. 
arid rises about 14,000 feet above the level of the sea. 

Q. What are the productions of Sumatra ? 

A. Pepper, benzoin, cassia, coffee, and cotton. 

Q. What are the mines of Sumatra ? 

A. Gold is found here ; and their mines abound in tin. 

Q. What is the language of Sumatra, and its commerce ? 

A. The language is Malayan, generally. „ The English 
carry on the pepper trade, from their settlement at BencoO' 
len. 

Q. What small island lies contiguous to Sumatra, and abounds ii> 
tin ? . * 

A. The Isle of Banco,; the mines are considered as inex¬ 
haustible ; the Duteh enjoy this trade. 

Q. What distinguishesjhe island of Java ? 

A. The splendid city of Batavia, which belonged to the 
Butch, and was the centre of their trade in India, until it was 
taken by the English, in 1811. 

Q. Wat are the productions of Java ? 

A. The same as Suma ra ; but their coffee is superior. 

Q. What other islands of importance belong to this chain. 

A. Timor , which lies upon the east, is held in some esti 
snation by the Dutch. The intermediate isles are of no value. 




BORNEO. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Borneo ? 

A. It lies upon the equator, and is the largest island in the 
world, except New Holland. 

^Q. What is known of this Island ? 

A. Very little, beyond the sea coast ; and even that, very 
partially. The coast is low, and being overflowed extensively 
with the tide, subjects the inhabitants to great inconvenience, 
and obliges them to build floating villages. 

Q. What are the productions ? 

A. The'same as Sumatra, with camphor, and edible birds- 




CELEBES. 


3 *0 

to 


nests; these are constructed with some particular gums by 
a bird resembling the swallow, and are considered very deli* 
cious. 

Q. What animal is peculiar to this island ? 

A. The Ourang Outang, which walks erect, is 5 or 6 fee; 
high, and ranks next to man, in the animal scale ; his mental 
powers are superior to those of the elephant. 

Q. What is their commerce ? 

A. This is confined to China, generally ; the Europeans 
have no settlements upon this island. 

MANILLAS. 

Q. Which is the most valuable of these islands ? 

A. Lueon, upon the north, is very rich and productive 
it abounds in rice, sugar, and cocoa, and its cotton is the best 
?n the world. Its minerals, are gold, copper, and iron. 

Q. Who own this island, and what is its capital ? 

A. It belongs to Spain, with the other Philippines; a»d 
has Manilla for its capital ; this is a regular built city, very 
i populous, and strongly fortified, 

Q. What is the commerce of this island ? 

A. Its commerce extends not only to Europe, but to the 
Spanish settlements of North and South America : and par 
ticularly to Mexico, by the way of Acapulco, across the Pa 
cific ocean. 

Q. How did the Spaniards get full possession of these islands ? 

A. By a general massacre of the Chinese population, in 
\ she 17th century. 

Q. Which is the next island of importance in this cluster ? 

A. Mindanao, upon the south. 

Q. What are the productions of this island ? 

A. Rice, cinnamon, with some gold, are the principal ; al* 
I so the palm tree that produces sago : the island abounds is 
ij buffaloes, and horses. 

The intermediate islands are of little value. 

CELEBES. 

Q. Which is the most valuable of these islands ? 

A. The.isle ofCelebes, lying east of Borneo. 

Q. What are the productions ? , 

A. The same as Sumatra. - 

Q. What is the character of this island ? 

A. It is inhabited by Malays, who are noted pirates. Its 
capital is Macassar; possessed by the Dutch, who hold the 
sovereignty ol the whole cluster. 

32 





374 


ASIA. 


. MOLUCCAS, OR SPICE ISLANDS. 

Q. Which are the principal of these islands ? 

A. Gilolo, Ceram, Banda, and Amboyna. 

Q. What arc the productions ? 

A. Cloves, nutmegs, sago, and mace. The nutmeg, when 
oreen, is of the size of a small peach, and grows upon a tree ; 
the shell, or outer coat of the nutmeg, forms the spice, call¬ 
ed mace. The nutmeg is peculiar to Banda, and under the 
control of the Dutch, who burn, or destroy the surplusagetof 
the crop, annually, to preserve their value in market. 

Q. What spice is peculiar to Amboyna ? 

A. The clove, which grows upon tall trees, that often pro 
duce 20 or 30 pounds. 

Q. What is the capital of Amboyna ? 

A. A town of the same name, which ranks next to Batavia, 
in the Dutch settlements, in the East Indies. 


AUSTRALASIA. 

• 

Q. What islands are included under Australasia ? 

A. New Holland, New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, 
Aie Solomon Isles, New Caledonia, the New Hebrides, New 
Zealand, and Van Dieman’s Land. 

NEW HOLLAND. 

Q.* What are the situation and extent of New Holland ? 

A. It lies south of the Moluccas, is 2700 miles long, and 
2000 broad. It was taken possession of, for the English, by 
Captain Cook, 1770, and they have formed a settlement at 
Botany Bay, called Port Jackson, where they send their con¬ 
victs from Great Britain. This colony is now rising fast in 
its numbers, wealth, and respectability. Sidney and Para¬ 
matta, are thriving villages ; the former is the seat ofthe mil 
itary government, and contains a bank, a free school, &c. 
the latter has a school for the natives. This island is often 
ranked among the continents. 

Q. What is the character of the natives ? 

A. They resemble the Hottontots in their colour, form, 
and manners ; are black, and filthy. They are sunk below 
the arts ; have no agriculture, and feed on fish, and animals 
®f the chase. 

Q. What are the face of the country, and productions ? 

A. The country is wild, and uncultivated, and remains un 
explored. 





VAN IMEMAN’S LAND. 


375 


NEW GUINEA. 

Q. What are the situation and character of New Quinta ? 

A. It lies on the north of New Holland, is of the same 
character, and as little known j it is noted for the bird of Par¬ 
adise, whose plumage is peculiarly beautiful, and much sought 
for by the Chinese, and other oriental nations. 

NEW BRITAIN, NEW IRELAND, AND SOLOMON 
ISLES. 

Q. What are the situation and character of these Isles ? * 

A. They lie east of New Guinea, and are as little known. 
The character of the natives is superior to the others ; they 
are not black, but swarthy, and muscular ; dwell in huts and 
feed on fruits. 

NEW CALEDONIA, AND NEW HEBRIDES. 

Q. What arc the situation and character of these Isles ? 

A. Th y lie south vard of New Ireland ; their natives are 
similar to New IIoll met ; the face of the country is rocky and 
barren, producing a few yams, plantain, Sugar cane, &c. # 
They were discovered by Captain Cook, 1774. 

NEW ZEALAND. . 

Q. What arc the situation and character of Neiv Zealand ? 

A. They lie south of New Caledonia : they are noted for 
the lofty elevation of Mount Egmont, which rises 14,000 feet 
above the level of Jhe sen, and is covered with perennial 
snows. 

Q. What is the. character of the natives ? 

A. They are remarkably tall, of an olive complexion ; are 
cannibals, and devour their prisoners taken in war. 

Q What arc the animals of these islands ? 

A. Hats and logs, are the only animals known. 

Q. When were these islands discovered ? 

A. By Captain Jasinan, a Dutchman, in the year 1G42, who 
lost seven of his men by the natives. 

Missionaries of the cross have lately been favourably re» 
ceived among th^m. 

VAN DIEMAN’S LAND. 

Q. What is the situation of Van Dicman’s Land. 

A. It lies south of New Holland, and resembles it in its ap? 
pearance, and inhabitants. Hobartstown, the capital, is a 
rising and flourishing settlement, 




376 


ASIA, 


POLYNESIA* 

Q. Which are tlie isles termed Potynesia ? 

A. The Sandwich Isles, Ladrones or Marian Isles,>the Car¬ 
olines, the Pelew, the Marquesas, the Society Isles, l riendlv 
Isles, and the Navigators Isles, in the North Pacific. 

SANDWICH ISLES. 

Q. What are the number and population of these Isles ? 

A. There are eleven in the cluster, and the population is 
estimated at about 400,OliO, V 

Q. What are the climate and productions ? 

A. The climate is temperate, and the productions are su- : 
gar cane, bread fruit, from the taro-root, and bread fruit tree, 
cocoa, yams, sweet potatoes, &c. . 

Q. Which is the largest of tlieso islands ? 

A. Owyhee is the principal of the Sandwich Isles, and 
where Captain Cook" was killed by the natives. It is about 
100 miles long and 60 or 70 broad, and lies under the 20th j 
degree of north latitude, 

Q. What is thg character of the natives of this island? 

A, They are a kind, affectionate people ; have made some 
progress in the arts, and agriculture, and have some com¬ 
merce in their own vessels. Missionaries from the United | 
States have been very successful, in civilizing and christian¬ 
izing the people. They have abolished their ancient Pagan 
worship, and Christianity hasTigen in its place. 

Q. What occasioned the nyirdeV of Captain Cook ? 

A. He imprudently took for fuel for his ship some part of 
,the fence, or railing, that enclosed the place of sepulture for 
their dead, which incensed the natives very highly. f 

Q. Did they murder him in the first impulse of their rage ? 

Ak No.: they suffered him to depart, and set sail on his 1 
voyage ; but violent head winds compelled him to return in¬ 
to pert, and when he went on shore, they revenged the out- 1 
rage offered to their dead, by taking his life. 

The Sandwich Isles will become valuable to the United ] 
States, in their future commerce with India, from the western 
settlements, on the shore of the Pacific ocean. They will 
soon become ports of refreshment for the western India ships, ; 
on their outward arid homeward bound passages. The young 
missionaries, who have bid adieifto their native shores, to go j 
into these remote regions, to christianize the heathen, will 
soon hold familiar intercourse with the citizens of their dear 




FRIENDLY ISLES. 


377 


native land, from the shores of the west ; this intercourse 
will render the affairs of the United States, as familiar to them, 
as they are to the people of the West Indies, at this time. 

PELEW ISLES. 

Q. What is the character of the Polew islands ? 

A. They produce the cane, bamboo, cocoa, ebony, and 
bread fruit. The natives are olive coloured, well made, and 
peaceable : both sexes go almost, and some entirely naked ; 
they arc noted for their chastity and honesty. Their climate 
is peculiarly mild. Tattooing is common to the Isles of Pol 
vnesia. 

LADRONES, AND CAROLINE ISLES. 

Q. What is the character of the Ladrones, and Caroline Islands ? 

A. Much the same as that of the Pelew Isles. The for¬ 
mer are 12 or 14, and the latter about 30 in number. 

MARQUESAS ISLES. 

Q.. Whatr is peculiar to the Marquesas Islands ? 

A. The natives, like those of the other isles, are of an olive 
j colour, and surpass them in the elegance of their forms ; the 
women are often almost white, and very beautiful. 

SOCIETY ISLES. 


Q. What is ihe character of the Society Isles ? 

A. The inhabitants of these islands are the most refined of 
rdl the South-sea Isles, particularly in Otaheite.; their soil R 
very productive, and yields yams, plantain, cocoa, and bread¬ 
fruit in abundance'. They have some manufactures, in which 


they display great ingenuity. Both sexes are fond of orna¬ 
ments, in which they display some taste, particularly in their 
garlands of feathers, and flowers in their bonnets, made of 
cocoa-nut leaves. They, like the Owvheans, have abandon*- 
ed their idolatry, and become a nation of Christians ; and are 
fast progressing in agriculture, general knowledge, and the 
arts. The labours of faithful missionaries have been grcallv 


blessed in this 'island. 


FRIENDLY, OR NAVIGATORS ISLES. . 

Q. What is the character of these Islands ? 

A. The Friendly Isles surpass all the others in their curti- 
vation, and have provisions in plenty. The Navigators Isle? 
are very populous, and their people are athletic, fiercc ; and 
(re.acherous, like the Ma’ays of India, 




AFRICA. 


373' 

One general character formerly pervaded all the islands oi 
Polynesia ; but great efforts have been made, and are now 
making, to open the way for the introduction of the Gospel, 
to civilize and christianize these people. They are at prc j 
sent all heathen idolaters, and in a rude, savage state, except 
Owyhee and Otabeite, and four or five others, where mis¬ 
sionary labours have been very successful, and whereschoo..: 
for regular instruction are established, under flattering cu 
umstances. 


iLFRiCJL 

Q. What aro the situation and extent of AiYiea ? 

A. Africa is situated between the Mediterranean sea, ou 
the north ; the Isthmus of Suez, the Red sea, and Indian 
ocean, on the east ; the Pacific on the south : and the Atlan 
iio ocean on the west. It is 4300 miles long, and3500 broad 
Q. What aro the statistical divisions and population ? 

A. Africa may be divided into Northern, Eastern, South¬ 
ern, Western, and Central. Population according to Hasse! 
—99,000,000. 

Q,. What is the face of the country ? 

A. It is intersected by several extensive ranges of moun¬ 
tains ; a few valuable rivers ; and covered with vast and ex 
tensive deserts. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. Mount Atlas, upon the north, rises near the coast, upon, 
the south-western extremity of the kingdom of Morocco, and 
extends east, to the confines of Algiers, where it divides : one 
chain, called mount Jurjura, extends in a north-easterly di¬ 
rection to the coast of the Mediterranean sea, and the other 
continues east as far as the desert of Barca. 

A lesser chain rises near the strait of Gibraltar, and ex¬ 
tending through Morocco, meets the Atlaian chain in Algiers. 

The great Atlaian chain has an elevation of about 14,000 
feet above the level of the sea, in the kingdom of Morocco, 
and i9 covered with perennial snows. They do not abound in 
minerals. 

The streams that flow from these mountains int® the Med¬ 
iterranean, fertilize the States of Barbary ; but those that 
ilow from the southern declivity of the great chain, are lost 
in the vast desert of Zahara. 

Another chain rises upon the western coast, a little south 







AFRICA. 


379 


•fCapa Verd, called the mounts of Kong, which stretch into 
the interior, until they are supposed to unite with the range 
called Jebel Kumru, or mounts of the Moon, which extend 
nearly across the continent; they are considered much high¬ 
er than the northern chain ; but have never been explored. 

These mountains give rise to the Senegal, Gambia, and 
several other valuable rivers, on the west ; also to the ma¬ 
jestic Nile, that waters Egypt on the east, and falls into the 
Mediterranean sea. The mysterious Niger rises under the 
western extremity of these mounts, and running east, is either 
lost in vast deserts of the interior, or forms the main branch 
of the Nile, as the Missouri does of the Mississippi, in North 
America : the latter is most probably true. The junction of 
this river with the Nile, will fully account for the vast inun¬ 
dations of the latter, as well as for their duration ; and with 
out this, both are difficult to be accounted for. 

At branch of the mounts of the Moon extends from Abyssin¬ 
ia, in a northerly direction, along the coast of the Red sea, 
nearly to the Isthmus of Suez. They are supposed to rise 
in many parts to an elevation of about 15,000 feet, because 
I they are there covered with perennial snows. These moun 
I tains, like those oi the north and interior, do not abound in 
ntinerals. 

Another chain is supposed to extend from Abyssinia, in a 
I southern direction, called the mounts of Lupata, and to give 
vise to those valuable rivers that water ther whole eastern 
coast of Africa. 

In Southern Africa are several ranges of mounts that rise 
in regular succession, back of each other, at the distance of 
60, SO, or ,100 miles apart, and extend along the coast, until 
they terminate near the Cape of Good Hope, in the bluff 
called Table Mount. The tirst of these chains is called Lange 
Jvlo'ff > the second, Swarte Bergen; and the third, Nieuw- 
veld ; the latter are covered with perennial snows. 

The mounts of the western coa£t, and of the equator, are 
too imperfectly known to be described. 

The interior of Africa has never been explored ; and all 
that is yet known of it is, that it abounds with savage tribes of 
negroes, and vast deserts. c 

Q. What is the inland navigation of Africa. ? 

A. The inland navigation of Africa is very limited, except 
ing by the river Nil? ; but upon this river it is carried to 
greaf perfection, by means of its navigable waters, and numer¬ 
ous canals. The extent of boat navigation upon the Nile r 
about 600 miles, up to the cataracts. 




380 


AFRICA 


The canals of Egypt are too numerous to be described ; and 
the largest, and formerly the most important one, that connect¬ 
ed the Red sea with the Mediterranean, has been in ruins for 
several centuries. The utility of this canal was destroyed by 
the invention of the mariner’s compass, and the navigation that 
followed the discoveries in the Indian ocean, in the 16th cen¬ 
tury. 7 ' : ? 

HISTORY. 

• Q. What is the history of Africa ? 

A. Africa was better known to the'ancients, than the mod ¬ 
erns, and made a conspicuous figure in ancient history. 

The kingdom of Egypt was founded 2188 years before 
Christ, and was the nursery of the arts and moral virtues, un¬ 
til Sesostrb carried-his arms abroad, 1500 years before 
Christ ; this laid the foundation of a train of luxuries, and 
corruptions, and prostrated the moral virtues, and rendered 
Egypt an easy conquest to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Assyria, 
or Chaldea, about 600 years before Christ. This conquest 
stripped Egypt of all her ancient splendour, and she has con¬ 
tinued to decline to this day. 

There are many remains of antiquity in Nubia, that may 
lead us to believe, that she was coeval with Egypt, and flour' 
ished in splendour in the early ages. The splendid monu¬ 
ments of antiquity found in both kingdoms, extend far beyond 
the reach of authentic history, or tradition. 

The kingdom of Carthage was founded by queen Dido, at 
the head of her Tyrian colony, 1257 years before Christ. 
This was a maratime, or commercial kingdom ; and like the 
city of Tyre, from whence they sprang, flourished exceed¬ 
ingly, and carried their arms abroad, even to the gates of 
Rome, under Hannibal, the hero of Carthage ; but Carthage 
was conquered by the Romans, and their city razed to its 
foundation, by Scipio, termed Afrieanus, 146 years before 
Christ. '\\ 

The ancient kingdom ofNumidia, situated udiere the king¬ 
doms of Tunis and Algiers now are, flourished, as a cotempo- 
rary with Carthage ; and was overrun by the Romans, about 
the same time. -M $ 

The present States of Barbary are of modern origin, except 
the kingdom of Morocco, (anciently Mauritania) which was 
coeval with Carthage, and known to the Romans as early as 
1008 years before Christ. About the year 25 before Christ, 
the Romans invaded Mauritania, and reduced it » province 
&bout> the ye or 50, of the Christian era, This become the des? 


EGYPT. 


381 


my of all the states of Africa, in regular succession. (Sec 
their histories.) 

The whole continent of Africa had been circumnavigated 
before the discovery of America, in the 15th century ; but the 
interior has never been explored, and was as much unknown 
to the ancients a? it is to the moderns. 

Great efforts have been made of late by Mungo Park, and 
others, to explore the interior of Africa ; but hitherto they 
have not been able to penetrate far. Great efforts are also 
making tor civilize and christianize the settlements upon the 
coast, at Sierra Leone, Liberia, and elsewhere ; and by those 
means to gain access to the interior, with a view to meliorate 
their barbarous condition,'& root out the vile practice of human 
traffic ; but the task is arduous, find difficult, anitjthe progress 
lias hitherto been slow. As the Christian powers of Europe 
and America become more united in their efforts,*the prospect 
seems to brighten ; add whenever they can become unanim' 
ous, it is to be hoped that they may succeed. The work in¬ 
creases, in strength and respectability daily ; and it is to be 
expected that a few more years will unveil to the Christian 
world the dark recesses of barbarous Africa, and give tffthose 
regions the light of the gospel. 

Questions. —Was Africa 1 known to the ancients i 
Which was the first and most important kingdom in Africa, and when 
was it founded -•? . 

What great conqueror rose up in Egypt? when and what were the 
consequences ? ' • ’ , 

What other kingdom in Africa was coeyiil With Egyp,t, and what are 
the evidences of it ? 

When and by whom was the kingdom of Carthage founded, and what 
is its history r .. , 

What ancient kingdoip lay contiguous to Carthage, and by whom was 
it destroyed ? . ... ^ , , 

What oilier kingdom in Africa was coeval with Carthago ? by whom 
was it destroyed, and when ? - 

What part of Africa had been explored by the ancients ? 

What efibrts have been made by the moderns to explore the interior 
of Africa, and what are the present prospects ? 


NORTHERN AFRICA. 

EGYPT. 

Q. What are the situation and extont of Egypt. 

A. Egypt is situated upon the north-eastern section ot Af¬ 
rica : it is bounded by the Mediterranean sea on the north ; 






382 


AFRICA, 


the Isthmus of Suez, and the Red sea on the east: Nubia on | 
the south ; and the desert of Barca on the west. It is 600 | 
miles long and 250 broad. 

Q. How is ;Egypt divided, and what is its population ? 

A. Egypt is divided into Upper and Lower Egypt; and the j 
division is made at Grand Cairo, The population is about j 
4,000,000, which dwell in about 2300 cities, towns, and vil 
lages, besides Arabs of the desert. 

Q. What is the situation of Upper Egypt ? 

A. It is situated between two extensive ranges of moun- j 
tains, that skirt it upon each side of the river Nile ; and the 
basin of the river is fertilized by its annual inundations. Siut ‘ 
is its capital, and a place of some trade. 

Q. What is ihc situation of Lower Egypt ? A 

A. The situation of Lower Egypt is upon one vast plain, 
stretching along the Mediterranean, Irorn the Isthmus, to the 
deserts of Barca, ,with the alluvial country in the centre, call¬ 
ed the Delta, and extending up to Grand Cairo, 

Q. What are the climate, soil and productions of Egypt ? 

A. The climate is hot in summer, and mild in winter. It 
seldom rainsJ, or is cloudy in Egypt. The soil is remarkably 
fertile: and. the productions are fvheat, barley, rice, millet, 
flax, hemp, beans, sugar cane, figs, olives, oranges, dates,^on¬ 
ions, le,eks, medicinal plants, &c. ; some parts yield two or 
three crops in a year.- • 

Q. Which are the rivers of Egypt ? 

A. The Nile is the only river of Egypt ; this rises in the 
mountains of Abyssinia, and by its annual inundations, waters j 
and fertilizes the whole country. 

Q. At what period does the Nile, overflow its batiks ? 

A. The Nile overflows, its banks,'-from- the middle of June 
to the middle oTOctober 

Q. What parts ofthe country are inundated ? 

A. All the Country lying upon the river, both in Upper and j 
Lower Egypt, is overflowed'; and the Delta is wholly over¬ 
flowed. 

Q. How are the other parts of Egypt watered ? 

A. The other parts are watered by canals, which extend 
from the river, and intersect the country in all directions. 

Q. Which are the. chief towns ? 

A. The chief towns that now remain, are Cairo, at the head 
of the Delta, and Alexandria, Rosetta and Damietta, at the 
mouths of the Nile. 

Q. What are the commercial advantages of these cities ? 

A. The commercial advantages of Cairo were once very- 
great, when the commerce of the east flowed into the Medi¬ 
terranean, through the canal, thatledfrom the Red sea, to the 





EGYPT. 


oSo 


. 


viver Nile, at Cairo ; but this has been in ruins several cen= 
turies. Cairo now enjoys an extensive trade, up the river, 
into the interior, as . well as by caravans across the deserts, as 
far as Tombuctoo, on the Niger. Cairo is the great central 
mart of Egypt for all the commercial nations of the world ; 
and possesses valuable manufactures, with a population of 
about 300,000. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Alexandria ? 

A. Alexandria is, situated near the mouth of the Tvestern 
branch of the Nile ; it was formerly a splendid city, built by 
Alexander the Great, king of Macedon, when he conquered 
Egypt, about the year 334 before Christ; but it is now mostly 
in ruins. Commerce, and the arts and'sciences, once held 
dominion at Alexandria ; but the substance is gone, and the 
shadow alone remains. 

Q. What arc the situation and character of Rosetta and Damietta ? 

A. Rosetta is situated upon one of the western branches of 
j the Nile ; is a modern city, and possesses very considerable 
commercial advantages. 

Damietta is situated upon the Eastern, or Pelusiac branch 
I of the Nile, and possesses.extensive commercial advantages * 

I but it bears no resemblance to the ancient city of Pelusium. 
which is now in ruins, near Damietta. 

Q. What is the agriculture of Egypt ? 

A. The agriculture of Egypt has always been proverbial : 
and has given to the whole country the appellation of the gar¬ 
den of the world. 

Q. Wtiat is the character of the Egyptians ? 

A. The Egyptians may be divided into three classes, viz. 
the Copts, or oiiginal stock, which are a swarthy race ; the 
Arabs-and Turks,,who have come in from the neighboring 
countries ; and the Bedouin Arabs, that lead wandering pas¬ 
toral lives, and are plunderers and robbers. 

Q. What is the religion ? 

A. The prevailing religion of Egypt is Mahometan : but a 
free toleration is enjoyed. 

Q. What is the language ? 

A. The Coptic, or old Egyptian, Arabic, Turkish and 
Greek languages are spoken in Egypt. 

Q. What is the government of Egypt 

A. The government is divided into about 25 independent 
sovereignties, the chiefs of which are called Beys, who are 
all tributary to the Grand Seignior, at Constantinople ; atthd 
head ©f this'confederacy, is the Pacha of Egypt. 

®, What is the military strength of Egypt ? 

a. The military strength is supported by a body ©fMamu 





384 


AFRICA. 


lakes, which each Be} r keeps in his service ; these Mama 
lukes are the children of Christians, in the north of Turkey, 
taken as slaves, and trained to arms ; these govern Egypt. 

Q. Whjt are the animals? 

A. The animals are sach as are common to Europe, with 
(lie camel ; the river Nile abounds with crocodiles, aligators, 
and numerous poisonous reptiles. 

Q. What are the antiquities and curiosities of Egypt ? 

A. The antiquities and curiosities are too numerous to be 
detailed in this work ; the principal are the pyramids, whose 
stupendous structure exceed all other works of art; the larg¬ 
est is about 600 feet high, and covers about six acres of ground. 
Near the pyramids is found the labyrinth, comprising a sub' 
terraneous city, built of marble, after the manner of the laby¬ 
rinth of Crete ; it contains numerous houses and palaces, so 
arranged, as to lead its visitants into such intricate maze& and 
windings, as to baffle all possible efforts to find the way out, 
without a guide. Here are the Egyptian mummies, those em¬ 
balmed dead* which have been preserved more than 3000 
years, and which will endure to the latest time. 

Q. What other marks of antiquity remain in Egypt ? 

A. The Pharos of Alexandria, whose light was visible more 
than 100 miles. The obelisks of Egypt, some of.which were 
more than 100 feet high, in one shaft. Also, the catacombs, 
those ancients monuments of the rites of sepulture ; and the 
ruins of the great canal, that connected the Red sea with the 
river Nile, &c. 


HISTORY. 


Q. What is the history of Egypt? 

A. Egypt was founded by Mizraim, the sbn of Ham, the son 
of Noah, and by his posterity, soon after the flood, it had 
become a rich and flourishing kingdom, at the time that Abra¬ 
ham visited it, when he first went out into the land of Canaan. 


It was the theatre of the bondage of the descendants of Abra¬ 
ham, 40© years, when it is supposed the pyramids were built. 
Egypt very early became the nursery of arts and of arms. 

About the year 1491 before Christ, Sesostris, king* of 
Egypt, carried his arms abroad ; he subdued all the north of 
Africa, and all Syria, Asia Minor, and Thrace ; and extended 
his dominions from the Danube to the Ganges oflndia. At 
the end canine years, Sesostris returned into Egypt, and left 
those conquests as free as he found them. 

i he conquests of Sesostris led to those emigrations into 
Greece, under .Cecrops. Dnnaus, and Cadmus, who carried 
t 1 ?. first letters,*as welhas the arts and sciences, into Greers 


EGYPT. 


385 


Before the coaquests of Sesostris, Egypt was the nursery of 
industry, temperance, and all the moral virtues; but those 
conquests subverted all those pillacs of Egypt, and laid the 
foundation of all her future sufferings. 

About 600 years before Christ, Nebuchadnezzar, king of 
Chaldea, carried his arms into the west, and subdued Egypt; 
plundered and sacked the kingdom, and broke the spirit of 
the nation. 

About the year 334 before Christ, Alexander, king of Ma- 
cedon,. conquered Egypt, and built the city that bears his 
name. About 10 years after this, Alexander died at Babylon, 
and his empire was divided between his four principal gener¬ 
als. Egypt fell to the lot of Ptolemy ; he and his successors 
were involved in almost perpetual wars with the SeleiiGidse, 
or kings of Syria, until Egypt was subdued by the Romans, 
in the year 31, after Christ. 

Egypt continued a Roman province, until it was conquered 
by the Saracens, in the 7th century. It continued under the 
Saracen Caliphs, until the Turks subdued it, in the year 1525* 
The Saracens introduced the Mahometan religion, and the 
Turks ' confirmed it; and at the same time reduced the 
strength of the kingdom, by dividing the government among a 
great number of sovereigns, called Beys, who continue 
tributary to the Sultan of Constantinople. 

In the year 1799, Egypt was overrun by the French, un 
der general Bonaparte. In 1801, it was conquered by the 
English, and in 1803, they restored it to the Turks, who now 
hold the dominion. 

Few countries have undergone greater changes than Egypt. 

Questions.— Whe* and by whom was Egypt founded, and what war 
its early history •? 

What king of Egypt carried his arms abroad ? what countries did he 
conquer, and when ? 

What were the moral effects of the conquests of Sesostris upon Egypt i 
What emigrations rose out of these conquests ? 

When and by whom was Egypt conquered? 

Who became the next conquer'or of Egypt, and when ? . > ^ 4 

When and where did Alexander die ? what was the fate of his empire , 
and who held Egypt ? 

What was the state of Egypt under the Ptolemies? 

Who became the next conquerors of Egypt, and when what religion 
did they introduce ? 

Who became the next conquerors, and when ? what were the conse¬ 
quences ? 

When was Egypt conquered by the French ? 

When was it conquered by tht English, and what was the result ? 

33 






386 


AFRICA 


COAST OF BARBARY. 

Q.. What are the situation and extent of the States of Barbary ? 

A. The Slates of Barbary extend from the Mediterranean 
sea on the north ; the desert of Barca on the east; the Great 
Desert ofZahara on the south ; and the Atlantic ocean on the 
west. In extent from east to west about 2000 miles, and of 
various width from north to south, but generally not exceed¬ 
ing 150 miles. 

(£. Whichare tho principal States? 

A. Morocco and Fez on the west; Algiers and Tunis in 
the middle ; and Tripoli on the east. 

Q. What is the face of the country ? 

A. The lace of the country is mountainous, excepting near 
the coast; but the rallies between the mountains are very 
fertile. «■> 

Q. What are the climate, soil and productions ? 

A. The climate, soil, and productions, are’mueh the same 
as the south of Italy ; the heat of summer is rather more se¬ 
vere. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. The chief towns of the kingdom of Morocco, are Mo¬ 
rocco and Fez, the capitals, which are large cities, and enjoy 
some commerce. Mequinez is the largest and most flourish¬ 
ing city ; but Tangler is a place of some trade. 

Algiers is the capital of the kingdom of Algiers ; it has a 
strong and safe port, and enjoys a very considerable trade. 
Bona is a flourishing commercial port, that is greatly enriched 
by the coral fishery upon its coast. Constantina is an ancient 
inland city, noted for its antiquities. 

The chief town of Tunis, is Tunis, situated upon the bay 
•f Carthage, and near the ancient capital of that kingdom ; it 
is a city of some trade. 

The chief town of Tripoli, is Tripoli, a rich and flourish¬ 
ing city, that enjoys some considerable commerce. 

'i he Desert of Lybia or Barca, that lies between Tripoli 
and Egypt, is rendered famous for the expedition of the Amer¬ 
ican general Eaton, in 1805. 

Q. Whal is the state of agriculture and learning ? 

A. Their agriculture and learning are both low, owing t* 
their oppressive governments ; they flourish best in Tunis. 

Q. What is the general character of the people of Barbary ? 

A. The people of Barbary are a tawny race; hardy and 
robust in their persons ; good soldiers, and daring, adventur¬ 
ous pirates ; but the women are often fair and handsome. 


BARBARY. 


387 


Q. What ara the governments and religion ? 

A. The governments are of one character throughout : ab¬ 
solute and desp itic, supported by the Mahometan religion. 
The States of Barbary, like Egypt, are all tributary to the 
Grand Seignior, and the people are slaves. 

Q. What are the animals of Barbary ? 

A. The animals are such as are common to the south of 
Europe ; together with the ass, the camel, and dromedary. 
In the mountains, are found the tyger, hyena, bear, ape, por¬ 
cupine, &c. 

Q. What bird is peculiar to this region ? 

A. The musical sparrow ; it is said to exceed in its note 
the music of the canary bird ; but it cannot'be preserved in 
any other climate. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of the Slates ef Barbary ? 

A. The eastern parts of Barbary were settled by the an¬ 
cient Nurnidians ; the mitldie parts by the Cat thagenians ; 
and the westtrn parts by the Moors or Mauritanians, as early 
as lOor 12u0years before Christ. The Carthugenians were 
the greatest maritime power for several centuries, in which 
they flourished, and attempted to extend their empire by the 
conquest of Spain and Italy ; but they were finally conquer¬ 
ed by the Romans, and their city and state ruined, about 14G 
years before Christ. 

In the 7th century, the Saracens co; quered this country, 
and established the Mahometan religion ; they crossed over 
and subdued Spain at the same time, and attempted to subdue 
France ; but were repelled by Charles Martel, king of France. 
They retired, and settled themselv. s in Spain, where they 
founded a kingdom, that continued 5 or 600 years 

The States of Barbary were next conquered by the Turks, 
in the 16th century, and have continued to this time tributary 
to the Grand Seignior at Constantinople. 

These states have been the pirates of the Mediterranean for 
several centuries past, and have carried the vessels and car¬ 
goes into their own ports, sold them as good prizes, and de¬ 
livered their prisoners to the government as slaves. The 

Questions.— When and by whom were the Stales of Barbary first 
settled ? oy whom were they conquered. and when r 
When and by whom Were they next conquered, and what were the 
consequences ? \ 

When and by whom were they next conquered ? and to whom are 
they now tributary ? • 







388 


AFRICA, 


Christian powers of Europe, and even America, became trib- , 
utary to them, by wa'y of presents, to purchase their friend¬ 
ship, or to redeem their properly, and prisoners, until the 
bravegeneral Eaton assembled an army in Egypt, in theyear 
1805, crossed the desert of Barca,.and by the famous victory j 
of Derne, compelled the Bashaw of Tripoli to make peace, 
and resign up the vessels, with their crews and cargoes, which 
he had suffered his cruisers to take from the Americans. An 
American squadron under the command of commodore Preble, 
bombarded the city of Tripoli at the same time, which was a 
most powerful means of enforcing the peace with the Bashaw 
of Tripoli. In the year 1814, the Algerines again captured 
several American vessels, sold their cargoes, and confined 
the crews in slavery ; but in the year 1815, the American 
government sent a squadron up the Mediterranean, under 
commodores Bainbridge - and Decatur, that humbled the Dey 
of Algiers, and compelled him to settle a peace, and deliver 
up the American property and prisoners, together with those 
of several European Christian powers, then in bondage. 
Since that time the Christian powers have ceased to pay trib¬ 
ute to the Barbary powers. 

In the year 1824, Great Britain sent a fleet, and blockaded ! 
the ports of Algiers, and compelled the Dey to do justice for 
the offence which he had committed. 

What has been their general character ?. 

What American general humblecbthe Bashaw of Tripoli, and when ? 
What American naval commanders humbled the Dey of Algiers ? 
when, and for what cause ? 

What other power has humbled the Dey of Algiers? when, and what 
has been the result ? 

* 1 

^ ^ -NUBIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Nubia ? " * 

A. Nubia is situated between Egypt on the north ; the Red 
sea on the east ; Abyssinia on the south ; and the Deserts on 
the west. It is supposed to be about 600 miles square. 

Q. How is Nubia divided ? 

A. Nubia is divided into a great number of independent 
tribes or kingdoms ; the principal of which are, Dongola on 
the north, and Sennaar on the south. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil, productions and climate ? 

A. The face of the country is an extensive sandy, and 
rocky desert : the soil is barren, except upon the banks of j 
the Nile, wjjere it is fertilized by irrigation : the principal ' 
productions §re millet and tobacco, and even these are very < 





NUBIA. 


389 

* 

partially cultivated : the climate is very hot, and very unfa¬ 
vorable to longevity, both in man and beast, particularly at, 
and about Sennaar. Poultry does not live there ; neither 
dog, cat, sheep, or bullock, can be preserved there through 
the season ; and no beast of burden will breed at, or about 
Sennaar ; and notices but Ihe lemmon flourish near the city. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. The chief towns' are Dongola, the capital of that tribe ; 
Derr, the capital of Nubia Proper ; and Sennaar, the capital 
of Sennaar ; but all these are the abodes ofsavage tribes, who 
are without letters ancl arts, like our Indian villages. 

Q. What are the antiquities and curiosities ? 

A. The ruins of ancient cities, where are splendid remains 
of theatres, particularly the temple of Ebsambul, 117 feet* 
wide in front, and 36 feet high, cut out of a solid rock.f 

Q. What is. the character of those tribes or kingdoms ? 

A. The character of Dongola is rude and barbarous ; the 
people are much like the native Copts of Egypt, and their 
government is despotic ; but Sennaar is a military despotism 
of blacks, who subdued the country; their king is called 
Melre ; they also are in a savage state. 

Q. What is tho religion of Nubia ? 

A. The religion is Mahometan. 

HISTORY. 

Q'. What is the history of Nubia ? 

A. The history of Nubia is last, and no distinct traces re¬ 
main. The splendid ancient Temples that remain, some of 
which were excavated from solid rocks, are historical evi¬ 
dence that Nubia was once inhabited by a people who had the 
arts, and the use of iron, and were devoted to their religion ; 
but who these people were, and when they flourished, is un¬ 
known. The Egyptians were the first people who settled up¬ 
on, the Nile, after the flood ; they became famous for the arts, 
and it is most probable that they extended their settlements 

Questions.— What monuments of antiquity serve to shew that Nubia 
was once a splendid kingdom, and was coeval with Egypt ? £ 
What affinity is there between the ancient temples of Nubia, and the 
ancient temples of Persia ? what historical facts rnay be drawn 
therefrom ?t 


t There is so striking a resemblance between these excavations, and 
those of Persia, llindoostan and Portugal in Europe, as to shew a 
strong ancient historical connection, and to excite the enquiry ; by 
what people, and at, what age of the world were these works of art 
constructed ? - . 


33 * 






39 CT 


AFRICA, 


into Nubia, and constructed those splendid temples ; and that 
when their kingdom was conquered by foreigners, the barba¬ 
rians of the desert overran and destroyed their settlements in 
Nubia. 

ABYSSINIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Abyssinia ? 

A. Abyssinia is situated between Nubia on the north ; the 
Red sea on the east ; the Mounts of the Moon on the south ; 
and the kingdom of Darfur on the west. It is about 600 miles 
square. 

Q. What are the face of the country, soil, productions and glimate ? 
A. The face of the country is mountainous : the soil in the 
rallies is fertile : the productions are wheat, millet, and such 
as are common to Egypt; bees are extensively cultivated, 
and honey is a great article of consumption ; their forests 
abound in almost every variety of trees ; the climate on the 
high-lands is temperate, but hot in the vallies. 

Q. Which are the principal mountains ? 

A. The mountains of the Moon extend into Abyssinia, and 
m the southern borders raise their snow-capped heads above 
the clouds, and give rise to the majestic river Nile. 

Q. How are the seasons divided ? 

A. The seasons are divided into wet and dry ; the wet sea¬ 
sons Cause the overflowing of the river Nile in Egypt, from 
the middle of June, to the middle of October, periodically ; 
but the rains commence in April and end in September. 

Q. Which are the chi6f towns ? 

A. The chief towns are Gondar, the capital, with a popu¬ 
lation of 50,000, who dwell in mud houses, thatched with 
straw and reeds. Masuah and Adowa, are the most commer¬ 
cial towns; Axum was the ancient capital, but is now in ruins. 
Q. What is the character of the Abyssinians ? 

A. The Abyssinians, like the Copts of Egypt, are of an ol- 
ve complexion, and are in a semi-barbarous state, with but 
few df the arts, and very little knowledge of agriculture. 
They are corrupt in their manners and morals, and given to 
great licentiousness. They practice the Jewish rites of cir¬ 
cumcision, and the Mahometan indulgence of polygamy, or 
rather a Community of wives. 

Q. What is the government of Abyssinia ? 

A. The government is despotic. The king is the sole pro¬ 
prietor of the soil; and barbarous wars are frequent. 

Q,. What is the commerce ? 

A. The commerce of Abyssinia is carried on with the inte¬ 
rior, and with foreign countries, and consists principally in the 
barter of gold dust, ivory, and slaves. 




MIDDLE AFRICA. 



HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of Abyssinia ? 

A. The history of Abyssinia is recorded in the ruins of ? 
their ancient capital city, Axum. The splendid obelisks of 
Axum, according to Mr. Bruce, surpass those of Egypt, and 
shew that this was a part of the ancient Ethiopia, where the 
arts and sciences once flourished ; but where they are now 
in ruins. 


MIDDLE AFRICA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Middle Africa ? 

A. The situation and extent ol Middle Africa are too imper¬ 
fectly known to be described.* The kingdoms of tribes of 
Darfu, Bornow, Wangara, and Housa, are situated between 
lAbyssinia and Tombuctoo. They are nothing more than so 
many tribes of savage blacks, without letters, and the arts, and 
with but little agricnlture- They all have some commerce with 
the countries upon the Nile, and with the States of Barbary. 

Darfur has Cobbe for its capital, which is the resoit of for¬ 
eign merchants, and often sends abroad fnto Egypt and the ad¬ 
jacent countries, large caravans for cnmmerse. * 

The merchants of Fezzan, upon the confines of Tripoli, 
engross the commerce of the other interiorstates, principally, 
and carry their trade into the State# of Barbary. 

The kingdom of Tombuctoo, has Tombuctoo for its capi¬ 
tal, upon the river Niger, which is represented as a large, 
flourishing, well built city, with an extensive trade to the 
States of Barbary and Egyj>t ; but Tombuctoo has never been 
visited by any foreigner who has returned ; and all that is 
known of it, is from vague reports ol the natives, which are 
at best very uncertain. 

Mungo Park, the famous traveller, made two attempts to 
explore this country, but failed in both ; in the latter, he 
was heard from, at Tombuctoo, where he is supposed to have 
been murdered. 

Bambarra is au extensive kingdom, iji which the Niger 
takes its rise, under the mounts of Kong. The natives are a 
mixture of Moors and Negroes. Sego and Sansanding are its 
principal towns ; the former is said to contain a population of 
about 30,000 ; the latter is a plage' of the greatest trade. 
Mungo Park explored this kingdom, as far as it extends upon 
the banks of-tW Niger ; but hts sufferings among those sav¬ 
ages were very severe, and he could give only an imperfect 
account of their population, &c. 



392 


AFRICA. 


' EASTERN COAST. 

Q. What is the extent of the Eastern Coast, from Cape Gnal'dafui, 
to the Cape of Good Hope 1 

A. The distance is about 4000 miles, by the way oi the 
coast. 

Q. Which are the principal kingdoms upon this coast. 

A. The principal kingdoms are, Adel, Ajan, ^Zanguebar, 
Mozambique, Mocaranga, Solala, and Caflraria, with the Hot¬ 
tentots. (See the Allas.) . 

Q. Will you describe the several kingdoms ? 

A. This can be of little use ; they are all in a savage state, 
with but little agriculture; and. lew of the arts. In their per¬ 
sons, manners, customs, religion, and government, they so 
nearly resemble the Nubians .and Abyssinians, that the same 
description answers well for all, excepting the Hottentots, 
who are the most degraded of all the human species j they 
are supposed to have no idea of a Supreme'Being, or of his 
providence. 

Q. What European nations have settlements uprfn this coast? 

A. The Portuguese took possession ol several stations upon 
the coast, in their early discoveries in the Indian ocean ; but 
they are all small, and of little value. They have derived 
some advantage from the gold mines of Fur,a, in the interior 
•f this coast. 

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of the settlement at the Cape 
of Good Hope ? , j 

A. The situation and extent of this settlement is very lim¬ 
ited, and confined almost wholly to Cape Town. This was 
formerly a Dutch settlement, and was tolerably well built ; 
but it is now possessed by the English. The country around 
Cape Town is low and uarren ; but it rises in regular suc¬ 
cession, in the back country, until you reach the mountains 
of Karoo, which are a dreary and barren waste.- Between 
these and the Snowy mountains, is an extent of fine grazing 
country, from which the settlement at the Cape is supplied 
with grain, wine, fruits, and cattle. The English claim the 
territory to an extent of 5 or 600 miles north of the Cape of 
Good Mope. Population of the whole about 50 or 60,000. 

Q. How are the seasons divided ? 

A. The seasons are.divkled into cold and hot, or rainy and 





SENEGAMBIA. 


393 


ury. In the rainy season, the country is deluged with wet ; 
and in the dry season, it*is parched with drought. 

Q. What is the state of agriculture in these settlements ? 

A. The state of agriculture is low, because the planters 
are both ignorant and indolent in the extreme. 

HISTORY. 

Q. What is the history of the - Cape of Good Hope ?' 

A. The Cape ot Good Hope was known to the Egyptians,' 
and Phoenicians, who circumnavigated the continent of Afri¬ 
ca, -before the discovery of the mariner’s compass ; but it 
was not known to the Europeans, until the Portuguese com¬ 
menced their discoveries in the Indian ocean, at the close of 
the 15th, and beginning of the 16th centuries. The Dutch, 
from Holland, commenced the settlement of Cape Town, 
about the close of the 16th century, and held possession un¬ 
til they were dispossessed by the English, in the year 1-606,’ 
who now hold possession. 


WESTERN AFRICA* 

Q. Which are the countries worthy of notice on the Western Coast ? 

A. The countries upon the rivers Senegal and Gambia, un¬ 
der the modern term of Senegambia, and Sierra Leone ; Up¬ 
per and Lower Guinea, and the tribes lying towards the Cape 
of Good Hope. 


SENEGAMBIA. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Senegambia ? * 

A. Senegambia is situated upon the rivers Senegal and 
Gambia, and extends from the coast to their sources. . > 

Q. How is Senegambia divided ? 

A. It is divided into the kingdoms of Cayor and Walloo, 
upon the coast ; and Foota-Toro, Foota-dallo, Handing, 
Kaarta, Bambouk and Bondou, in the interior. 

Q. What are the face of the country, climate, soil, and productions ? 

A. The face of the couritry is sandy and level near the 
coast ; but it is mountainous in the interior, particularly 
about the sources of the rivers. The climate is hot upon 
the coast, but mild in the mountainous regions. The soil is 
fertile near the rivers, and in the vallies ; and the produc¬ 
tions, such as are common to the tropical regions. 






AFRICA. 


304 

Q. What native tribes inhabit Senegambia ? 

A. The principal tribes are the Foulahs, Jaloffs, Feeloops, 
and Mandingoes. 

<£. What are the situation and character of these tribes ? 

A. The Foulahs are situated in the basin, of the Senegal, 
and extend from the coast far back into the interior ; they 
are more like the North American Indians, in their form and j 
features, than like the African blacks ; they lead pastoral 
lives, like the Tartars, and are the most civilized of any of 
the African tribes. 

The Jaloffs dwell upon the coast, and are distinctly Afri¬ 
cans in their forms, features, and character. 

The Feeloops dwell upon the coast, between Kong mounts I 
and the Gambia ; they are a wild race of negroes. 

The Mandingoes are more nuiperous, and dwell among the 
mountains, in the interior, about the sources of the Senegal, 
Gambia, and Niger. 

Q Wlaat are the governments and religion of these tribes ? 

A, They are under the government of chiefs, or kings, who . 
are absolute ; and all the religion they have is Mahometan. 

SIERRA LEONE. 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Sierra Leone ? 

A. It is situated upon the coast, a little south of the Lion, or 
Kong mounts. It was barely a settlement at Freetown, 
which was established by the-British African Society, for the 
benefit of re-captured slaves, where they might find protec¬ 
tion and support. The primary object has been extended, 
.and it is now.a flourishing missionary station, for the purpose 
of civilizing and christianizing all Western Africa ; flourish¬ 
ing schools are established here ; and the present population 
is about 12,OHO. 

<3. What late improvements have been made upon the Western 
coast? 

A. The Colon zation Society of the United Stales have j 
commenced a settlement, called Liberia, at the mouth of the j 
river Mesurado, (.»ee the atlas,) for the benefit of free Afri- - 
cans, and such slaves as have been, or may hereafter be eman¬ 
cipated in the United States. 

ft UPPER GUINEA. . '■ 1 

Q. What are the situation and extent of Upper Guinea ? 

A. Upper Guinea is situated between the mounts of Kong 
and the coast ; it is about 1200 miles long and 300 broad 
(See the Atlas.) 






LOWER GUINEA. 


39 c: 


Q. What are the divisions of Upper Guinea ? 

^ A. It is divided into the Slave Coast, i Gold Coast, Ivory 
Coast, and Grain, or Pepper Coast; because these are the 
principal articles of traffic under their several divisions. 

Q. Whieh are the principal kingdoms upon this coast* ? 

A. The principal kingdoms are, Ashantee, Dahomey, and 
Benin. 

Q. What are the situation and character ©f Ashantee ? 

A. It is situated in the interior of the Gold Coast, and ex¬ 
tends to the mounts of Kong : their late ravages upon the 
coast shew them to be one of the most powerful tribes of 
AVestern Africa. 

Agriculture and the arts are in great forwardness among 
the Ashantees ; cotton, rice, and sugar-cane, are among their 
productions ; and they spin, weave, and die cotton cloths, of 
tine texture, and sightly colours ; they have the use of iron 
and leather, which they manufacture to their wants. 

Q. Which is their chief town ? 

A. Their chief town is Coomassie, and is supposed to cc» 
tain a population of 100,000. 

Q. What is the government ? 

A. The government of Ashantee is despotic, an$J numerous 
slaves are buried alive with the king at his death, to attend him 
beyond the grave. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Dahomey and Eenin ? 

A. Dahomey is situated about the centre, and Benin upon 
the eastern part of Upper Guinea. Dahorr.ey is next in popu¬ 
lation and power to Ashantee ; but falls far short of Ashantee 
in agriculture and arts. 

Q. What is the government of Dahomey ? 

A. It is one of the most barbarous governments in all Afri¬ 
ca ; and the king and people are the most ferocious. 

The custom of burying slaves with the king is common in 
Dahomey, as in Ashantee, and throughout Guinea. 

Benin is a small state, but similar in its general character t* 
the States of Ashantee and Dahomey. 

LOWER GUINEA. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Lower Guinea? 

A. Lower Guinea is situated upon the coast, between 14 
degrees north, and 17 degrees south latitude ; it resembles 
UppeY Guinea in its general character. 

Q. What are the divisions of Lower Guinea ? 

A. It is is divided into Loango, on the north ; Cong* and 
Angola, in the middle; and Benguela, tm the south. (See 
the atlas.) 



396 


AFRICA. 


Q. What are the climate, soil, and productions of these States ? 

A. The climate ofLoango, Congo, and Angola, is remarka¬ 
bly pure ; the soil fertile ; and the productions such as are 
common to the equatorial regions ; but the climate ofBengu- 
ela is peculiar noxious, and fatal to strangers. 

Q. What is the general character of these States ? 

A. Their general character is rudesmd barbarous ; but 
the three former are more improved than Benguela; yet 
they are all inhabited by negroes ot Guinea. 

Q. What Native Tribes are situated between Lower Guinea and 
the Cape of Good Hope ? 

A. The Caflfres and Hottentots. 

Q. What is the character of these tribes ? 

A. The Cadres are a numerous, well made, industrious, 
and intelligent race, and subsist by tilling the ground and rais¬ 
ing cattle ; they lead pastoral lives ; the men raise the cattle, 
and the women till the ground. They are without letters 
and the arts, and know but very little of numbers. They are 
pleasant, social, and friendly, in their habits. They extend 
across to the Indian ocean, and are not as black as the Hot¬ 
tentots. The Hottentots have been described, a low, filthy 
race. 


African Sslffi. 

Q. Which are the Africa i Isles ? 

A. The African Isles are the Azores, or Western Isles, 
Madeiras, Canaries, Cape de Verds, with the small isles of 
St. Matthew, Ascension, Prince’s Isles, Fernando Po, St. 
Thomas, and St. Helena, in the Atlantic ocean. 

The Southern Isles are Kerguelen’s Land, Amsterdam, St, 
Paul’s, and Tristan de Acunha. 

The Eastern Isles are Madagascar, Mauritius, or Isle ef 
France, Bourbon, the Comoro Isles, Socotra, the Almirantei 
and Mahe Isles. 


Azores. 

Q. What are the situation and character of the Azores ? 

A. The Azores are situated in the Middle Atlantic, aboud 
the latitude ot 36 degrees ; and are nine in number ; they are! 
pleasantly situated, in a mild climate, and abound in deliciousd 


AFRICAN ISLES. 


387 


wines, and fruits. A tenth island appeared, from a sub-marine 
volcanic eruption, in the year 1811, but has since disappear¬ 
ed. This affords strong evidence, together with many other 
marks of volcanic origin, that the others were produced in the 
same way. The Azores are, like Ireland, free from venom 
ous reptiles. 

Madeiras. 

Q. What are the situation and character of the Madeiras ? 

A. The Madeiras are situated off the coast oi Morocco, 
about latitude 32 deg. ; arid are owned by the Portuguese 
Madeira is the principal isle, and gives name to the group , 
they enjoy a mild climate, and abound in the tropical fruits 
The wine of Madeira is the best in the world. 

Q. What is the capital of Madeira ? 

A. The capital is Funchal ; a place that enjoys a rich and 
extensive commerce. 

„ Canaries. 

Q. What are the situation and character of the Canaries ? 

A. The Canaries are situated off the south-west coast of 
Morocco, in latitude 28 deg. Teneriffe is the principal: they 
also enjoy a mild climate, and are noted for their excellent 
wines. The peak of Teneriffe has an elevation of about 
13,000 feet above the level of the sea. Santa Cruz is a rich 
and flourishing capital. 

Cape de Verbs. 

Q. What are the situation and character of the Cape de Verc. 
Isles ? 

A. The Cape de V erds are a group of islands, situated ofl 
the coast of Senegambia, in latitude 15 deg. They are infe^ 
rior to the other isles, both in their climate, soil, and produc 
tions ; but abound in salt and hides, which are the principal 
exports. St. J ago, St. Vincent, and Bonavista, are the prin ¬ 
cipal ; they belong to the Portuguese. Fugo is a small volca 
nic isle, that belongs to the group. Goree, near the coast, 
i belongs to France. 

St. Matthews, Ascension, Prince’s Isle, Fernando Po- 
St. Thomas, and St. Helena. 

Q. What are the situation and character of these isles ? 

A. They are small islands of the Atlantic, that are situated 
off the ccastof Africa, between 4 deg. north, and 16 
34 




398 


AFRICA. 


south latitude. The two first are owned by the Portuguese 
Ascension abounds in turtle. The others are of too little note 
to deserve a description, except St. Helena ; this is a barren 
rock, inaccessible with ships, excepting at the port of James¬ 
town, and contains a population of about 3000, who are fed b\ 
the ships of the East India Company, that touch here on their 
passage. This island is rendered famous, as the prison of the 
emperor Napoleon, who was transported here from England 
in the year 1815, and died in 1821. 

SOUTHERN ISLES. 

Kerguelen’s La*d, Amsterdam, or Prince Edward’s Isles. 
St. Paul’s, and Tristan de Acunha. 

Q. What are the situati©n o,nd character of these isles? 

A. These isles are situated in the South Pacific, between 
38 deg. and 40 deg. south latitude. The first is entirely bar¬ 
ren ; the two next are noted for their seal fishery ; and the 
last is a desolate forest. 

EASTERN ISLES. 

Madagascar, Mauritius, Bourbon, the Comoro Isles, So¬ 
cotra, Almirante, and Mahe Isles. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Madagascar? 

A. Madagascar is situated off the eastern coast of Africa, 
partly under the tropic of Capricorn, and is one of the largest 
islands in the world. A range of mountains extends through 
the centre of this island, from north to South, from which it is 
richly watered, and supplied with minerals. 

Q. What are the climate, soil, and productions ? 

A* The climate is mild, considering its latitude ; the soil is 
remarkably fertile ; and it abounds in all the productions of the 
torrid zone. 

Q. What is the population ? 

A. The population is about 4,000,000. 

Q. What is the state of learning, agriculture and manufactures ? 

A. The state of learning is low among the Malays and Afri¬ 
cans ; but the Arabians have the use of letters, and the arts, 
and are making considerable progress in civilization. They 
have abolished the slave trade. 

Q. Which are the chief towns ? 

A. The chief towns are Tananarive, the capital ; Tamatave 
and Foul Point, the commercial ports ; and Port Dauphin, 
an old French settlement, now in ruins. 


ASTRONOMICAL GEOGRAPHY. ' 


399 


What are the situation and character of Mauritius and Bourbon ? 

A. They are situated east of Madagascar, and are valuable 
•nly as places of resort for the India ships ; they are both 
owned by the English at this time. Bourbon is noted for its 
volcano, which serves as a light-house to this part of the In¬ 
dian ocean. The principal part of the island is a barren 
waste ; but the remainder is very fertile. 

Q. What are the situation and character of the Comoro Isles ? 

A. The Comoro Isles are a small group that lie north-west 
of Madagascar ; and are rich and fertile, under a fine climate. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Almirante and Mahe 
Isles ? . 

A. These small groups lie north of Madagascar, and are 
mere rocky barrens, without utility. 

Q. What are the situation and character of Socotra ? 

A. Socotra is situated off point Guardafui, and is noted for 
; ts excellent aloes. The Arabians own this island. 


ASTRONOMCAI. GEOCRATHY. 

Q. What do we understand by Astronomical Geography ? 

A, The relation that the Earth bears to the heavenly bodies . 
This may be illustrated in the following manner, viz. the Sun 
is 1,000,000 times greater than the Earth, and 539 times 
greater than all the planets ot our system, taken collectively * 
The Earth, and all the other planets of our system, move 
round the Sun at stated, regular periods, according to their 
| size and distance. (See the table.) 

The Earth moves in her orbit round the Sun once in 365 
I days and 6 hours, nearly, which measures each year. It also 
revolves round its own axis once in 24 hours, from West to 
i East, which measures each day, and causes the succession of 
day and night. 

Q. What causes winter and summer ? 

A. The Earth is suspended in the heavens, with the North 
| pole elevated just 23° 28' higher than the South pole.t In 
winter the Earth is directly over the Sun, and the Northern 
part is turned up fiom the Sun, and receives but a small part of 
i his heat; but in summer, the Earth is right under the Sun, and 


+ The poles of the Earth are the extremities of its axes, and the axis 
is an imaginary line that extends through the centre of the Earth, 
from North to South. 






400 


ASTRONOMICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


the Northern part is turned up towards that body, an* re 
ceires an increased quantity of heat. 

Q. How many planets belong to our system ? 

A. Seven Primary Planets, and four Asteroids. See the 
Allowing system. 

Solar System . 



Q. What are the comparative size, distances, &c. of the primary 
planets ? 

A. See the following table : 



Diameter 
in miles, 

Distance 
from the sun 
in miles. 

Day, or ro¬ 
tation on 
axis. 

Year, or 
revolution 
round sun. 

Hourly 
motion in 
orbit 

; Mercury 

3,224 

36 millions 

unknown 
hrs. m. 

3 months. 

111,000 

: Venus 

7,68a 

86 do. 

23 20 

7 do. 

81,000 

Earth 

7,928 

98 do. 

23 58 

13 do. 

68,000 

Mars 

4,189 

144 do. 

24 39 

22 do. 

56,000 

Jupiter 

89,170 

491 do. 

9 55 

12 years. 

30,000 

Saturn 

79,042 

901 do. 

10 16 

29 do. 

22,000 

15,000 

Herschel 

35,112 

1800 do. i 

unknown 

83 do. 























ASTRONOMICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


401 


Q. What are comets ? 

A. They are wandering stars, with bright luminous trains. 
(See the plater) 

Q. How many comets have appeared ? 

A. About 4 or 500. 

Q. What are the periods of their revolutions round the Sun ? 

A. From 50 to 500 years. 

Q. What is the figure of the Earth ? 

A. The Earth is a globe or sphere> very nearly, being 
only 34. miles longer, from east to west, than from north to 
south. 

Q. What evidence have we that the Earth is a globe or sphere ? 

A. Recause all the other heavenly bodies are globes ; be¬ 
cause it casts a circular shadow upon the Moon in an eclipse ; 
and because it has often been circumnavigated. Also, the 
higher we are elevated, the further we can see : and we 
can discover the ma9t of a ship, at sea, before we can the 
hull. 

Q. What is the length of the Earth's diameter ? 

A. About 8000 miles. 

Q. What is the Earth’s circumference ? 

A. About 25,000 miles. 

Q. What is the Earth’s distance from the Sun ? 

A. About 96 millions of miles. 

Q. What is the Earth's orbit ? 

A. That great circle she describes in her revolution round 
the Sun. 

What is the diameter of this circle or orbit ? 

A. About 192 millions of miles. 

Q. What is the circumference of this orbit ? 

A. About 600 millions of miles. ^ 

Q. How many millions of miles docs the Earth travel in each 
month ? * , ' 

A. About 50 000,000, or 68,000 miles an hour. 

Q. What is the Earth’s diurnal velocity round her own axis? 

A. About 1000 miles an hour, or 16 miles each minute. 

Q. Why is it that men are insensible of these wonderful veloci 
ties? 

A. Because they are so perfectly equable. 

Q. What would be the effects upon the Earth, if this diurnal motion 
should cease instantly ? 

A. The whole Earth would be convulsed to her centre, 
and every thing standing upon the Earth would be laid pros¬ 
trate, and level with the surface. The whole globe would 
ibe one universal wreck. 

.34* 


402 


ASTRONOMICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


Q. What would be the effects if the Earth’s revolution round the 
Sun should instantly cease ? 

A. They would be two fold ; the whole Earth would be 
come a wreck as before, and she would fall directly into the 
Sun. 

Q. What would be the effects if the velocity of the Earth in her or 
bit round the Sun, should be diminished one fourth or one half? 

A. The Earth would commence a spiral revolution about 
the Sun, which would bring her into that body. 

Q. Suppose the velocity should be increased ? 

A. The Earth would recede from the'Sun in the same 
manner. 

Q. What principal in nature has preserved these equable motions 
of the Earth for so many thousand years, without the least variation : 

A. The attraction of gravitation between the Sun and 
the Earth, exactly balanced by the Earth’s revolution in her 
orbit. 

(|. Why does not the Earth incline to rest'? 

A. This is beyond the research of man, and must be'ascrib- 
ed to God, who balances the stars, and fixes the destinies of 
the universe. 

Q. What is the form of the Moon ? 

A. The Moon is a globe or sphere. 

Q. What is the diameter of the Moon ? 

A, The diameter of the Moon is about 3,180 miles. 

Q. What is the circumference of the Moon ? 

A. About 9,194 miles. • 

Q. What is the Moon’s period in her revolution round the Earth; 

A. About 28 days. 

Q. How often does the Moon turn on her own axis ? 

A. The Moon turns on her axis once in each lunation, O’ 1 
from new Moon to new Moon, being 29 ! 2 days. 

Q. What occasions this difference ? 

A. The motion of the Earth in her orbit. 

Q. How many days has the Moon in her year ? 

A. Three hundred and fifty-four. 

Q. How many lunar months in her year ? 

A. Twelve and one third. 

Q. How far is the Moon distant from the Earth ? 

A. The distance of the Moon from the Earth is abort 
240,090 miles. 

Q, What is the diameter of her orbit ? 

A. About 480,000 miles. 

Q. What is the circumference of her orbit > 

A. About 1,508,571 miles. 


ASTRONOMICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


403' 


Q* How fast does the Moon go in her orbit ? 

A. About 33,977 miles in a day, 2,249 miles in an hour, 
and 37 1-2 miles in a minute. 

Q. What occasions the changes in the Moon ? 

A. The changes of the Moon are owing to her different 
• situations in her orbit in reflecting the light of the Sun to the 
Earth. 

Q. Has the Moon any light of her awn ? 

A. The Moon of herself would be invisible. 

Q. What part of the Moon is enlightened by the Sun ? 

A. One halt, without any variation. 

Q. Why is it that we see so small a part at the change, or new 
Moon ? 

A. BecauseMhe Moon has passed the Sun but one day , 
and this is the only luminous part that is turned towards the 
Earth. 

Q. Why could we not see the Moon the day she passed the Sun ? 

A. Because the whole dark half was turned towards the 
Earth. 

Q. Why do we see one half of the Moon's disk at the first quar 
ter ? i ./ 

A. Because she has performed one fourth of her revolu 
fion, and has turned such a part of her luminous disk towards 
the Earth. 

Q. Why do we see the whole of her disk at the full ? 

A. Because she is in opposition to the Sun, and has turned 
her whole luminous disk towards the Earth. 

Q. Does she decrease through the other half of her orbit upon the 
same principles ? 

A. Yes, until she passes the Sun, and becomes new Moon, 
as before. 

Q. Why dees the Moon appear at times so far in the North, and 
again in the South, in every month or revolution ? 

A. Because the-orbit of the Moon is inclined to the plane 
of the ecliptic, ^degrees and 9 minutes, so as to cross it at the 
distance which we see, North and South, twice in each revo 
lution. 

Q. What causes an eclipse of the Moon ? 

A. This is always at the full, when the Earth is between 
the Sun and Moon, and when the Moon at this time is exactly 
upon the Earth’s orbit, or crossing the ecliptic ; it then 
passes through the shadow of the Earth, which causes an 
eclipse. 

Q. Why does not an eclipse happen at every full Moon ? 

A. Because the Morn is sometimes North or South of the 
Earth’s orbit, or of the ecliptic, at the full. 

Q. What causes an eclipse of the sun ? 

A. When the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun 



404 ASTRONOMICAL GEOGRAPHY.• 

and is at the same time upon the Earth’s orbit 3 or crossingthe 
ecliptic. 

Q. Why do we not see an eclipse of the Sun the day before now 
Moon every month ? 

A. Because the Moon is sometimes North or South of the 
Earth’s orbit, or the ecliptic, as before. 

Q. Why do not the same eclipses of the Sun and Moon happen ev¬ 
ery year, at the same time, and the new and full Moon take place on 
the same days, in each year, successively ? 

A. Because the Moon revolves about the Earth about 
eleven days in each year, before the Earth completes her year¬ 
ly revolution round the Sun ; and this gain of eleven days, 
in each year, changes the time of her phases. 

Q. What other effect is produced from this gain of eleven days ? 

A. In 18 years and 11 hours, she gains one whole revolu 
tion, and begins a-nevv, at the same point, which is called the 
cicle of the Moon. 

Q. When are the Sun and Moon said lobe in conjunction, and in 
opposition ? 

A. In conjunction, on the day before every, new Moon; 
and in opposition, on every full Moon. 

Q. What influence has the Moon upon the Earth ? 

A. It causes the ebbing and flowing of the £ea, called tides. 

Q. IIow often do the tides rise ? 

A. Twice in each day, or in about 25 hours. 

Q. When do the tides rise ? 

A. In places nearly under the Moon, or rather when she 
has passed about three hours, and upon the opposite side of 
the Earth, at the same time. 

Q. Why do the tides rise after the Moon has passed ? 

A. Because the waters do not flow as fast as the Moon trav¬ 
els in her orbit. 

Q. What variation is common to the tides 

A. There are two v ariations, called spring tides and neat 
tides, or high and low tides. 

Q. What occasions this difference ? 

A. The attraction of the Sun and Bloon, united. 

Q. When are the spring tides? 

A. When the Sun and Moon are in conjunction, as at the 
new Moon, or when in opposition, as at the full Moon. 

Q. When are the neap tides ? 

A. When the Moon is in her quarters. 

Q. How high do the tides rise ? 


DEFINITION'S. 


405 


^eojjraphtcal Brfmtttons. 

PREPARATORY TO THE USE OF TrfE GLOBES. 

Q. What is a right line ? 

A. The shortest distance between two points *. 

Q. What is a curve line ? 

A. A line, drawn between two points with a uniformly varying di¬ 
rection ? 

Q. What are parallel lines ? 

A. Lines drawn equally distant from oach'other. 

Q. What are oblique lines ? 

A. Lines that approach or recede from each other. 

Q. What is a perpendicular line ? 

A. A line drawn perfectly erect upon a given plane. 

Q. W T hatis a tangent? 

A. A line so drawn as to touch the surface, or periphery of a curve 
or circle, without cutting it. 

Q. What is an angle ? 

A. It is the opening of two lines that meet at a point. 

Q. What is a right angle ? 

A. The point where two lines meet that are perpendicular to each 
other. 

Q. What is an oblique angle ? 

A. That which is greater or less than a right angle. If greater, it 
is called obtuse angle ; but if less, it is called acute angle. 

Q. What is a circle ? 

A. A line drawn round a centre until it meets. 

Q. What is this line mathematically termed ? 

A. The periphery of the circle. 

Q. What is the space within the line termed 
A. The area, or plane. 

Q. How are K circles mathematically divided ? 

A. A circle contains 360 degrees, each degree contains 60 minutes, 
and each minute 60 seconds, marked thus, 360° 60 60”. 

Q. What is the diameter of a circle ? 

A. A right line drawn through its centre. 

Q. What is a semi-diameter, or radius ? 

A. A right line drawn from the centre to the periphery. 

Q. What is a semi-circle ? . ♦ 

A. It is half the circumference. 

Q. What is a quadrant ? 

A. It is one fourth of the circumference. 

Q. What is an arc or arch of a circle ? 

A. Any part of a circle less than the whole. 

Q. How are angles measured ? 

A. Upon the arch of a circle ? 

Q. What are the contents of a right angle 
A. Ninety degrees. 



106 


DEFINITIONS 


OF THE GLOBES. 

Q. What is an artificial Globe or Sphere ? 

A. Any round body wh»se surface is equally distant from its, cen 
’ re ; half a globe is termed a hemisphere. 

Q. What are artificial globes or spheres made to represent ? 

A. The heavens and the earth ; the first is termed Celestial, and 
the second Terrestrial. 

Q. How does the Terrestrial globe represent the Earth 

A. By shewing its form, natural divisions of land and water, and 
face of all the several countries, mountains, rivers, Sec. 

Q. How does the Celestial globe represent the Heavens ? 

A. By showing the apparent situation of all the heavenly bodies, 
and their relative distances, &c.: and the figures or constellations in¬ 
to which they were divided or arranged by the ancients. 

Q. IIow are these globes divided ? 

A. They are divided into the following parts, viz.—The axis of the 
earth, or the imaginary line, upon which it revolves once in 24 hours ; 
ibis, when extended to the heavens, becomes the axis of the celestial 
globe, and terminates at the two pole stars, norti and south. 

Tne sun, and other heavenly bodies, are supposed to describe sev 
<ral circles round the earth, in her annual, and diurnal revolutions. 

Q. IIow are these circles divided ? 

A. Into Great and Lesser Circles, viz. those that divide the earth 
into equal parts are called Great Circles; such as the Equator, or 
Equinoctial, the Horizon, the Meridians, the Elliptic, and th« two Co¬ 
lures. . i '‘- [. ■ ~ ~ 

Q. IIow are these circles described ? 

A. The equator passes round the centre of the earth, from east to 
west, and divides it into two equal parts, termed the northern and 
southern hemispheres ; when the sun passes this line, the days and 
flights are equal. This line is divided into 180,degrees, or equal parts, 
which measure the degrees of longitude, east or west from London, or 
any other given meridian. 

Q. What is the Horizon, and how is it divided ? 

A. The horizon is divided into two parts, the rational and sensible. 
The Rational horizon encircles the Earth, from north to south, and 
divides it through the poles, into two equal parts, termed the upper 
and lower hemispheres. It is also divided into four equal parts, of 90 
degrees each, termed the cardinal points,, viz. East, West, North, and 
South ; these are sub divided into 32 intermediate points. 

Q. What other points belong to the Rational horizon ?. 

A. The poles of the horizon, which are the extremities of a line 
drawn perpendicularly through its centre ; they are also termed Ze¬ 
nith and Nadir, in allusion to one being right over the earth, and the 
other right under it. 

Q. How is the rational horizon represented upon the artificial globe ? 

A. By a broad wooden circle , upon which the globe is suspended. 
Upon this circle are represented the 32 points of the compass ; the 12 
f-igns of the Zodiac, divided into 30 degrees each ; the several months 
of the year, with the days of each to correspond with the 12 sio-ns. 

Q. What is the Sensible horizon ? 

A. That circle that terminates our view, wherever we are, and up- 
on which the heavens and the earth appear to meet. 


DEFINITIONS. 


467 


Q. How are-the Meridians drawn upon the earth ? 

A. They are 12 in number, drawn from north to south, through the 
poles, at the distance of 15 degrees each, because the sun passes 
through 15 degrees each hour, which completes the whole circle oP360 
degrees once in 24 hours, or each day. 

Q. What is the Ecliptic ? 

A. It is a great circle drawn round the earth obliquely to the equa 
tor, and shews the course of the earth in lier annual revolutions round 
the sun. v 


Q. How is it divided, and why is it called Eel ptic £ 

A. It is divided into 12 equal parts, called signs, of 30 degrees each •: 
and is called ecliptic, because the eclipse of the sun and moon necessa 
rily happen when the moon is upon or very near to it. 

Q. What is the Zgdiac ? 

A. That space in the heavens, 16 degrees wide, or 8 degrees upon 
each side of the ecliptic, which contains all the stars that form the 12 
signs, or constellations, and through which space all the planets of our 
system appear to describe their revolutions. 

Q. What are the 12 signs called, how are they expressed, and when 
does the sun enter them? 

A. See the following tabic : 


1 . Aries 'V 3 , or 
9 Taurus 
Gemini Hi 
Cancer 05 , 

Leo SI, . 
Virgo ug, 

Libra 

Scorpio lrh, 
Saggittarius f , 
CaprieornuS 
Aquarius™?, 
Pisces Xt 


3. 

4. 

5. 

6 . 
7. 
3 . 
9. 

10 . 

11 . 

12 . 


the Ram ; March 20th. 

the Bull ; April 20 th. 

tlie Twins ; May 21st. 

the Crab ; June 21 st. 

the Lion; July 23d. 

the Virgin; August 23d. 

|he Balance ; September 23d. 

the Scorpion ; October 23d. 

the Archer ; November 22d. 

the Goat; December 22d. 

the Waterman ; January 20th. 
the Fishes ; February 19th. 

Tae first six are called the northern signs , and the six last southern ; 
and are formed by twelve clusters of fixed stars, through which the 
sun appears to pass in his annual course. 

Q. Which are*the other great circles ? 

A. They are two meridians drawn only in the heavens, or upon 
the celestial globe, termed Colures ; one passing through the signs 
Aries and Libra, called the equinoctial colure ; and the other passing 
through the signs Capricorn and Cancer, and called the solstitial colure. 

Q. Which, axe the Lesser Circles, how are they described, and what 
are they called ? 

A. The. two tropics, and two polar circles. The two first aro de¬ 
scribed 23 degrees 30 minutes nortli and south from the equator, and 
are called the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn, because 
they pass through those signs of the Zodiac. The two others, 23 de¬ 
grees 30 minutes from the north and south polos, are called polar cir¬ 
cles, or Arctic and Antarctic ; because the first or northern passes 
through the constellation, Arctus or Arcturus, or the bear, and the 
other is its opposite m the southern hemisphere. 

Q. How is time measured upon the globe ? 

A. By degrees, as before mentioned : and by an index graduated 
upon a circle round the north pole. 




408 


DEFINITIONS. 


Q. IIow are distances measured upon the globe r 

A. By a thin slip of brass, graduated up to 90 degrees, correspond 
mg with the degrees graduated upon the equator : this extended up¬ 
on the globe will shew the distance of places in degrees, which multi ¬ 
plied by 60, will shew the mathematical miles, or 69 1-2, wil shew the 
geographical miles, according to the number of miles in each degree' 
where the distance is taken. 

Q. What is latitude, and how many degrees of latitude are there 
upontheglo.be? - 

A. Latitude is any given distance from the equator, north or south. 
There are 90 degrees of latitude 

Q. What is longitude, and how many degrees of longitude are 
measured upon the globe ? 

A. Longitude is any distance, east or west, from a given meridian ; 
and there are 180 degrees of longitude measured upon the globe, viz. 
180 degrees east, and 180 degrees west longitude ; which include all 
the degrees of a circle, viz. 360 degrees. 

Q. How is the temperature of the earth generally divided ? 

A. Into fire zones, one torrid or burning zone, lying between the 
tropics, and divided intq northern and southern, by the equator: two 
temperate or moderate zones, which lie between the tvv© tropics and po¬ 
lar circles ; and two frigid or frozen zones, that lie between the two 
polar circles and the poles. 

Q. In which of tiiese zones is the sun vertical, and when ? 

A. The sun is vertical, or right over all parts of the torrid zone, 
twice in each year, viz. in passing from nonh to south, and in return- 
ing. 

Q. Why are these circles called zones ? 

A. Because they encircle the earth like so many belts, or girdles, 
which is the meaning of the word zone. 

Q. What is a climate ? 

A. A climate is any distance north or south of the equator, that in 
creases the length of a day half an hour. 

Q Does the breadth of the climates decrease from the equator to 
the poles ? 

Yes : the first climate from the equator is eight degrees broad ; but 
the last climate at the poles does not exceed four miles. 

Q. What other meaning is affixed to this word ? 

A. Climate is used to express difference of temperature, in the air 
in different latitudes and places, as a hot or warm climate, cold cli¬ 
mate, or a mild and temperate climate. 

• 

PROBLEMS ON THE TERRESTRIAL GLOBE. 

Problem I. — To find the latitude of any place or places on the 
• Globe. 

Tarn the Globe uatil the place sought comes under the brazen me¬ 
ridian ; and the graduated number upon the meridian over the place , 
will shew its latitude, either North or South. 

Examples.— What is the latitude of Hartford Boston ?— London ? 

and all the capitals in the world. 


PROBLEMS. 


109 


Problem II .—To find the Longitude of any place. 

I urn theGlobe until the place sought comes under the meridian, and 
the point where the meridian crosses the Equator is the Longitude 
East or West ; this will gire both the Latitude and Longitude. 

Ex. —What is the Longitude oJr Washington ?--London ? —Peters 
burg, Sec. ? - 

Problem III. —To find the difference of Latitude between any 

two places.' + . 

Find the Latitude of each place as before, and if both are North or 
South of the Equator, subtract the Lesser from the Greater, and the, 
remainder is the difference ; if one is North and the other South, add 
the two sums, and the amount is the difference of Latitude. 

Ex .—What is the difference of Latitude between Boston and Wash¬ 
ington ?—between Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope, &c. ? 

Problem IV .—To find the difference of Longitude of any two 

places. 

Find the Longitude of each place as before, and the distance be¬ 
tween them is the difference of Longitude in degrees and minutes. 

Ex .—What is the difference of Longitude between New York and 
London ? 

Problem V .-—To fin l any place whose Latitude and Longitude 

is given. 

Find the Longitude of the place as before, and the graduated edge 
cf the meridian will shew the place under the degree of Latitude. 

Problem VI .—To find the distance of any two places on the 

Globe. 

Lay the quadrant of altitude across both, and the graduated edge 
will shew the distance in degrees ; this multiplied by 69 1-2 will give 
the distance in geographical miles. 

Note. —This rule is correct upon the Equator , but varies from thence 
to the poles: at 60° the difference is one half a degree being only thirty 
miles. (See the table ) 

Problem VII. —To find the exact difference of time between 
any two places. 

Bring one of the places to the brazen meridian, and set the index a; 

! 12—turn the other place to the meridian, and the index will shew the 

correspondent time. 

Ex. —When is it 12 o’clock at Philadelphia ?—what is the corres 
pondent time at London ?—What time at Petersburg is answerable 
to 9 o’clock at Pekin ?—What time at Calcutta is answerable to 12 
o’clock at Mexico, &c. ?—What is the difference of time between Con 
stantinople and Paris ? 

Note. —This may be found by dividing the difference of Longitude h, 
15. 

Problem VIII. —To rectify the Globe for any given Longitude, 
Zenith , and place of the Sun in the Zodiac. 

1 st, Lat.—Elevate the pole to the Latitude required. 2d,Zenith— 
Upon the same Latitude on the top of the Globe, fix the quadrant of 

3d 




410 


PROBLEMS. 


altitude tolhe meridian. 3d, The Sun’s place—Find this upon tiic 
horizon among the signs and months—look the same sign in the 
ecliptic, and bring it to the meridian, and set the index at 12 at noon. 
Ex.— Rectify the Globe for the Lat itude of London on the 20th of 
?• March, Boston the 20 th of’September, Calcutta the 20th of June, and 
Jerusalem the 20 th of December. 

Problem IX .— r To find at what houf of the day the Sun rises 
and sets on any day of the year, and what point of the compass. 

Rectify the Globe as before, in Problem VIII. for the Latitude and 
place of the Sun ; turn the Sun’s place to the Eastern horizon, and the 
index will shew the time of rising; turn the Sun’s place to the Wes¬ 
tern horizon, and the Index will shew the time cf setting. 

Ex. —When does the Sun rise and set at Hartford on the 20th of 
March ?■— 20 th of June ?— 20 th of August ?—WLen does it rise andset 
on the same days at London, Petersburg, Constantinople, and Cairo ? 

Problem X. —To find the length of the day ami night at any 
time of the year. 

Find tiie Sun’s rising and setting as before, then double the time of 
his rising gives the night, and double the time of his setting gives the 
length of the day. 

i$Ex .—What is the length of the days and nights at London on the 
21st of June, and 21 st Marcli ?—What is the length of the days and 
nights at Moscow, Delhi, and Canton, for the same time. 

Problem XI —To find the Sun's declination upon any given 
day of the year, and all those places where the. Sun will be 
vertical on the meridian of that day. 

Bring the Sun’s place on the ecliptic to the meridian, and the degree 
of Latitude is the declination. The Sun will be vertical to all places 
upon the same parallel of Latitude. 

Ex. —What is the declination of the Sun on the 1st of May, 11th of 
June, 5 th of September, and 21 st of December, and to what places 
will he be vertical on each of those days . ? —Which two days in each 
year will the Sun be vertical on the North side of the island of Cuba, 
and on the southern part of Madagascar ? 

Problem XU .—To find when the Sun is vertical at any given 
time and place. 

Find the declination as before; elevate the pole to that latitude, and 
bring the place sought to the meridian, and set the index at 12 at noon : 
turn the Globe until the index points to the given hour, and the place 
sought will be under the brazen meridian upon the parallel of declina- j 
tion. ! 

Ex. —When it is 12 o’clock at Boston on the 20th June, where will • 
the Sun be vertical ? On the 20th of September, where will the Sun $ 
be vertical when it is 6^0’clock at London ? At 9 o’clock at Canton ;J 
on the 21st of December, where will the Sun be then vertical ? 

Problem XIII .—The day and hour being given to find when 1 
the Sun is then rising and setting , and where it is noon , and, J 
where it is midnight. 

Find where the Sun is vertical, as before, at the given time, bring 1 
that place to the meridian, and rectify the Globe to the Sun’s decline' i 



MAPS. 


411 


iion : the Sun is then rising to all places under the edge of the western 
horizon, and setting at all places under the edge of the eastern hori¬ 
zon. It is noon to all places under the upper meridian, and midnight 
to all places under the lower meridian? 


maps; 

Q. What is a Map and how does it differ from the^Globe ? 

A. A Mnp represents upon a plane a certain portion of the 
surface oi the earth ; and a Globe represents a part or the 
whole in its true form. 

Q. How are latitudes and longitudes measured upon Maps P 

A. The same as upon the Globe ; Latitude is measured 
upon the sides of.Maps, up and down, from the Equator ; and 
Longitude is measured on the top and bottom, the same as 
upon the Equator on the Globe. If the figures increase to 
the right, the Longitude is East ; but if they increase to the 
left, it is West. The top of all Maps is North, and the hot* 
tom South ; the right hand East, and the left hand West. 

Q. How are Maps divided P 

A. By parallels of latitude, and meridional lines of longi¬ 
tude ; the same as the Globes. 

Q. How are distances measured upon Maps? 

A. Generally by a scale of miles, laid down upon one cor 
ner of the Map ; but distances may be calculated by degrees, 
the same as upon the Globe, viz. if the distance is due East 
and West, the difference of longitude, in degrees and miles, 
will be the true distances ; [see the table of degrees and miles.] 
fhe same is true of latitude ; if the place be due North and 
South from each other, the difference of latitude, in degrees 
and miles, will be the true difference ; but if two places dif¬ 
fer in latitude and longitude, first find the square of the true 
difference of longitude in miles, according to the table, and 
then the square of the true difference of latitude, in miles : 
add them together, the square root of the sum is the true dis¬ 
tance, according to the Pythagorian problem.t 


t Children that are unacquainted with the regular process of extrac ¬ 
ting the square root, will soon learn to solve these questions, by as¬ 
suming some number, which, when multiplied into itself, will give tho 
sum stated : for instance, the sum stated or to be solved, is 100, the 
distance is then 10, because this is the square root of 100, and when 
multiplied into itself gives that sum—20 is the square root of 400, and 
J2 of 1000, sufficiently near for such calculations. Teachers that will 
practice this method will soon find it interesting and Useful. 



412 


MAPS. 


PROBLEMS. 

Problem I—(Fig. 1.)— To divide a line (A C) inf o two equal parti. 
Fig 1. 



1. From the points A and C 
as centres, with any distances 
in ’the compasses greater than 
half A C, draw arcs of circles, 
cutting each other in D and E, 

2. Throiigh the points D and 
E draw the line E D, and it will 
cut A C in the middle of the 
lino, or divide it into two equal 
parts, A B and B C. 

3. The same process erects 
the peipcndicular B E, or lets 
fall the perpendicular B D. 


Problem II. 


Fig 2, 


-(Fig. 2.)— From a given point (/?,) to let fall a perpendic 
ular on a given line (A B.) 


si 


/ 

<E ' 


/ 

\ 

/ 


C, b 

\ 

4 


1. From the point E draw 
a part of a circle 1 2, cutting 
A B in the points 1 and 2. 

2. From these points de¬ 
scribe the two arcs cutting 
each other in D and E. 

3. Draw a line joining 


be perpendicular to the line 
A B. 

Note. —The sariie process?' 
erects the perpendicular C* 
E, or lets fall the perpendic¬ 
ular C D. 


Problem III.?—(Fig. 3 .^^To divide a straight line (A B,) into any num¬ 
ber of equal parts. 



1. Take any distance in your compasses . 
and draw arcs of circles from A and B. 

2. Draw two lines A C and B D, from these ,, 
points A and B, touching these circles, and » 
they will be parallel lines. 

3. Take any small distance in your com¬ 
passes and set it off upon the lino A C as many j 
times as the number of divisions required. 
Set off the same distance on the line B D. 

4. Join the division of these two lines by 
other lines, as at A, 1,2, 3, &c. and they will 
divide the line A B into the equal parts re¬ 
quired. 



















MAPS. 


413 



• . . HULES FOR CONSTRUCTION. 

l.—Io construct a Map of a Country on a Plain Projection . 
l‘ig. 4. * A J 

1. Construct a scale of 
degrees agreeable to the 
size of the proposed map, 
and lay down lines for the 
bottom and top of the 
map. 

2. Erect the perpendic¬ 
ular A B as the first me¬ 
ridian, to terminate at the 
line bounding the top of 
the map : divide this me¬ 
ridian into 4 equal parts 

, by the parallels20,22,24. 

, * r0ni table of degrees and miles, find the length of a degree of 

ongitude upon the parallels 20, 24; set them oft’upon their parallels with 
V our compasses, each way from the first meridian, and draw the re¬ 
mainder of the meridians through these points. 

4. I roceed to construct your map, by laying down first the most im¬ 
portant places in thoir true latitude and longitude, and then by connect¬ 
ing them in proper form. 

41. io construct a Map oj a Hemisphere by a Gtobitlar Pro¬ 
jection on the plane oj a meridian. ' . - 

1. Draw the circle E 
W, N S, and draw the di¬ 
ameters N S, E#W, to in¬ 
tersect each other at right 
angles at C, with accura¬ 
cy. 

2. Divide C W and C 
S into nine equal parts 
each, or 90 degrees. Di¬ 
vide the arcs W S in the 
same manner, and num¬ 
ber the distances thus, 10, 
£0,30,40^-0. up to 90. 

Find the centre oftlie 


5 . 



E 


*1 


meridian by drawing the 
line DN, and bisecting it 
with a perpendicular that 
will cut the line« E at F, 
and the pointF Will be the 
centre of the meridian N 
D S. The same process 
will find the centres of all 
the <> it -*r meridians. 

4. Find the centres for 
the parallels of latitude 
upon an extended line of 
N S by the same rule.— 
{See the figure.) 

35 * 



























414 


TABLE 


5' Draw a line through the points 40 40, and bisect it with a.perpec* 
dicular that will cut'the line N S, extended inP, and this will be the 
centre from which to describe the parallel 40 40. Proceed in this way 
to find the centres, and describe all the other parallels oflatitude. 


.TABLE 

OF THE LENGTH OF ONE DEGREE OF LONGITUDE FOR EVERY 


DEGREE OF LATITUDE, IN GEOGRAPHICAL MILES. , 


Lat. 

Miles. 

Lat. 

Miles, 

Lat. 

Miles,. 

Lat. 

Miffs. 

1 

59,99 

24 

54,81 

47 

41,00 

69 

21,51 

2 

59,96 

25 

54,38 

48 

40,15 

70 

20,52 

3 

59,92 

26 

54,00 

49 

39,36 

71 

19,54 

4 

59,85 

27 

53,4G 

5t) 

38,57 

72- f 

18,55 

5 

59,77 

28 

53,00 

51 

37,76 ‘ 

73 ' 

17,54 

6 

59,67 

29 

52,48 

52 - 

37,05 

74 ' 

16;53 

7 

59,55 

30 

51,96 

53 

36,11 

75 

15,52 

8 

59,42 

31 

51,43 

54 

35,27 

76 

14,51 

9 

59,26 

32 

50,88 

55 

34,41 

77 

13,50 

10 

59,09 

33 

50,32 

56 

33,55 

78 

12,48 

n 

58,89 

34 

49,74 

57 

32,68 

79 

11,45 

12 

58,69 

.35 

49,15 

58 

*31,70 

80 

10 42 

13 

58,46 

36 

48,54 

59 

30,90 

81 

9,38 

14 

58,22 

37 

47,92 

60 

30,00 

82 

8,35 

15 

58,00 

38 

47,28 

61 

29,09 

83 

7,32 

16 

57,60 

39 

46,62 

62 

28,17 

84 

6,28 

17 

57,30 

40 

46,00 

63 

27,24 

85 

5,23 

18 

57,04 

41 

45,28 

64 

26,30 

86 

4,18 

19 

56,73 

42' 

44,95 

65 

25,36 

87 

3,14 

20 

56,38 

43 

43,88 

66 

24,40 

€8 

2,09 

21 

56,00 

44 

43,16 

67 

23.45 

89 

1,05 

22 

55,63 

45 

42.43 

68 i 

22,48 

90 


23 

55'23 

46 

41,68 












QUESTIONS ON THE MAPS. 




Questions oft (he Map of the World. 

What is the figure of the earth 1 What are its dimensions ? What 
are the grand divisions of the earth the grand divisions of the land, 
and how situated ?--- J,he grand divisions of the water, and how situa¬ 
ted? What are tho next grand divisions of the land ? How do they 
correspond with the divisions of the water ? What are the dimensions 
of the several grand divisions of the earth ? >* 

What is a map ? How does it differ from a globe ? Which part of 
the map is North? East South? West ? What are these four 
points called ? What are the whole number of points ? What is the 
eastern map of the world called -the western called ? How is that 
part north of the equator distinguished ? How is that part south of 
the equator distinguished? Which hemisphere contains tho most 
land?-— the most water ?—-the largest islands ?---the greatest number 
ofisl nds ? Which hemisphere contains the largest continent ? IIow 
is the eastern continent bounded How is the western ? IIow is 
New Holland situated? Where is Australasia 5 Where is Polyne¬ 
sia, and which are the principal islands ? Which are the principal 
capes of the eastern continent * seas ? bays ? Which of tho western ? 
Which oceans surround the eastern continent ?-- which the western 
continent ? Which arc the principal islands of the eastern continent? 
— which of the western continent ? Which are the grand divisions 
of the eastern continent ? -how.are they connected ? Which are the 
<»rand divisions of the western continent ?- -how are they connected? 

Where arc Beering’s straits ? Baffins' bay ? Davis’ straits ? Cape 
Horn ? Cape St. Roque Gutf of Mexico? Fox Islands ? West In¬ 
dies ? Newfoundland? Hudson's bay ? Cape Cod? California ? Alas¬ 
ka ? Cuba ? Straits of Magellan"? Isthmus of Danen ? Greenland ? 
Queen Charlotte’s Island ? Iceland Where the Cape of Good 
Hope? North Cape ? Kamskatka ? Cape Comorin? Straits ofBabel- 
mandel ?—of the Dardanelles ? Island of Madagascar : Japan? Bal¬ 
tic Sea? Rad Sea Nova Zenjbla ? British Isles? Mediterranean 
sea ? Caspian sea ? Gulf of Venice ?- Straits of Gibraltar? Where are 
the isles called Azores? Madeiras ? St Helena ? Borneo? New 
Guinea ? Ceylon ? Where is the sea of Okotsk ? Gulf of Corea ? 
Persian Gulf? 

What is tho latitude of China ? What country in North America 
corresponds in latitude What is the latitude of New England ? 
What countries in Europe and Asia answer to this latitude ? What is 
the latitude of Sumatra and Borneo r What puts of North Arp erica 
and Asia correspond ? Which is most southerly, Cape Horn, the Gape 





■m QUESTIONS ON THE MAPS. 

of Good Hope, or Van Dieman’s Land ? What parts of Europe and 
America correspond in latitude with the Caspian Sea ?—what parts 
correspond with Syria and the Japan Isles ? What sea in America 
corresponds with the Arabian sea- and gulf of Bengal ? Where is 
Nootka ? Where is Otaheite ?—what cluster of islands does it belong 
to, and which way is it from New Zealand ? Which arc the principal 
of the Sandwich Isles ?—for whatis it famous?— which way does it 
lie from Queen Charlotte’s Isles ? Where are the Bahama Isles ?__ 

Let the Instructor extend these Questions upon the Map of the World , 
as occasion may require. 

(Questions on the Map of North America. 

What connection has Greenland with North America ? Which is 
more southerly, Repulse bay or James’ Bay ? What lake gives rise 
to Mackenzie’s river ? What river flows from the west into the Lake 
of the Hills? What river flows from Lake Winnipeg into Hudson’s 
bay? What river flows out of Black Bear Lake into Hudson bay r 
Which is more northerly, Canada or New Britain ?— more easterly, 
New South Wales or Labrador ?— more northerly, Hudson’s straits or 
Baffin’s bay ?—more easterly, Baffin’s straits or Davis’ straits ? What 
lakes divide Upper Canada from the U. States? What river dis¬ 
charges these lakes into the ocean ? How does the Canada line di¬ 
vide these lakes ? Which of the great lakes lie within the U. States ? 
Which are the four great rivers of North America that rise in the high 
lamds, and flow in opposite directions ? How far do the tidewaters 
extend up the St. Lawrence ? What islands are in the gulf of St. Law¬ 
rence ? What bay lies between Nova Scotia and New England f 
Which is the most northerly, Halifax or Lewisburg ?—more easterly, 
Newfoundland or Anticosti ?—more northerly, New England or New 
Brunswick ?—more easterly, the St. Lawrence or Mississippi riversr— 
which is the largest of the two ? What river bounds Louisiana on the 
east ?—on the west ? Which is the more southerly. Mexico or Flori¬ 
da ? ---more westerly, New Mexico or California? What isthmus 
unites N. and S. America ? What gulf lies between these two divis¬ 
ions ? 


Questions on the Map of the United States. 

How arc the United States bounded ? What arc the grand divis¬ 
ions of the United States ?~ what is their capital?—-which is the most 
northerly ?—name them m their order, with their capitals, and the 
livers on which they stand. Which are the principal rivers in the U. 
States"? Which river is more northerly, the Potomac or Hudson 
more easterly, the Connecticut er Susquehannah ? —moie northerly 
the Delaware or James river ? What great rivers falls into the Ches- 
apeak bay ? Which is more northerly, Pamlico sound or Delaware 
hay.? Which are the principal rivers of North Carolina—South Car¬ 
olina—Georgia ? Where are Niagara falls what is their height, and 
how far can they be heard ? Through what States do the Allegany 
mountains extend ?—where do they terminate on the north and south: 
Where is the Blue Ridge ? Where are the Muscle Shoals ? Which 
•' have northerly, tile Tennessee or Illinois ? Which is the largest of 

w 


QUESTIONS ON 'IJHE MAPS. ‘ 417 

‘he UYStates ?—which is the smallest? Through what States does 
the river Connecticut run ? What States aro washed by the Ohi© 
iver ? In which State does the Tennessee rise ?—through what 
State does it run, and where does it empty ? What mountains inter¬ 
sect the State of I ennessce ? What two rivers rise under the White 
Hills, and flow north and south, the one into the St. Lawrence at Que¬ 
bec, and the other into Casco bay ? Which are the principal rivers 
in Louisiana?—which are the principal settlements? , What two riv¬ 
ers water the Stat r of Tennessee ? Ou what river does Pensacola 
stand ? How is Boston situated ? How is New York ?- Philadel¬ 
phia ? Washington ? Where are Detroit and Michilhmackinae sit¬ 
uated ? Where is Sachets harbour ? How is New Orloans situated * 
Where is Perdido river, and what boundary does it form : What two 
rivers at their junction, commenoe the Ohio ? Near what lake does 
the river Illinois take its rise? Where and what distance does the great 
canal of New York extend ? How will this qonnect the waters of the 
Mississippi with the Pludson ? 

Questions on the Map of South America. 

On which coast of South America is Peru—Guiana—Brazil—Chi¬ 
li—Cayenne? Whore is Buenos-Ay res Where are the settlements 
of the Natives? What is the latitude of Cape Horn?—the latitude 
of Cape De la Vela ? Which is more northerly. Porto Bello or Pana • 
ina? more southerly, Lima or Quittf? more easterly, Maracaibo or Car- 
thagena? more southerly, Caraccas or Buenos Ayres ? Which is the 
largest river, Oronoco, Amazon, or La Plata .? What range of moun¬ 
tains give rise to these rivers ?—what ocean do they fall into?— 
which falls under the equator ? What kingdom is hounded west by a 
line drawn from the mouth of the Amazon to the La Plata ? What, 
settlements lie between the Amazon and Orinoco ? Where is Capo 
Negrillos? Cape Blanco? Where is the widest part of South Amer^' 
ica ? 


Questions on the Map of Europe. 

Which is more northerly, England or Scotland ? What direction is 
Ireland with Scotland, and how separated France from.England, 
and how separated ?—Spain and Portugal from France, and how divid¬ 
ed' Italy and Switzerland from France, and how divided ? Germany 
from Italy ? Which is more westerly, Germany or Holland r more 
easterly, Holland or Hungary ? more northerly, Hungary or Russia ? 
more southerly, Poland or Turkey ? more northerly, Denmark, or 
Norway and Sweden? more southerly, the Baltie or Mediterranean ? 
What strait connect these two seas with the ocean ? What direction 
is Petersburg from London ? Madrid from Paris ? Paris, from Rome : 
from Vienna ? from Berlin ? from Copenhagen ? from Stockholm; 
from Warsaw? from Moscow ? What are their distances whencom- 
jmted upon the map ? Which are more northerly, the Whit- sea or 
Marmora ? more easterly, the Adriatic or sea of Azoph ? Where is the 
Crimea? Morea ? the Naze? Lizzard? Where are the Capes ©1 
Wrath? Clear.? North Cape? Finisterre ? Which are the great 
commercial ports of England ? France? Spain? Portugal? Holland-' 
Germany? Denmark? Sweden? Prussia? Russia? Turkey? Which 
is more northerly, the Archipelago or Black Sea ? Which is the 


118 QUESTIONS ON THE MAPS. 

highest mountain in Europe? 1 fie greatest volcano ? and which aie 
the three principal volcanoes,? On which of the great rivers the 
capitals of two kingdoms situated, and where does it empty ? " hat 

direction is Hanovor from Vienna ? Of what is Prague the capital. 
of what is Breslau the capital? Where is Tokay, and what is it fa* 
inous for ? How is Amsterdam built : how is it situated ? How is 
Venice built ? how is it situated ? How is Naples situated ? What 
is its appearance from the bay? How are Copenhagen, Stockholm, 
and Petersburg situated'' and how with regard to each other? 
Where is Mont Blanc ? the Ural mountains ? the Pyrenees ? the 
Carpathian mountains ? the Appenines ? Where is lake Ladoga ? 
Onega? Constance ? Geneva ? W here is the river Wolga? Danube? 
Vistula? Oder Thames? Tiber? Seine? Rhine 7 Tagusr Forth* 
Shannon? Which are the European isles? name them generally? 
Where is Cors’ea, and for what is it famous ? Where is Elba, and 
for what is it famous ?. Where is Spitzbergen ? Iceland ? NovaZem- 
bla? Shetland? Orkneys? Rhodes? Malta 7 Where is the Mael¬ 
strom, and what is it ? Where is Gibraltar, and what is it? Where 
are Aland and Gothland ? 

Questions on the Map of Asia. 

Hew is Asia divided from Europe 7 from Africa? What oceans 
wash the shores of Asia ? What are the grand divisions of Asia ? the 
capital of each, and the river it stands on ? Where is mount Cauca¬ 
sus? Ararat ? Taurus, and how far does it extend ? the two Gauts? 
the Altain chain, and its extent ? Where is the river Euphrates ? Ti¬ 
gris ? Indus? Ganges? Hoang-Ho? Burrampooter ? Amour ? Sihon: 
Jihon ? Ob or Oby ? Where is the gulf of Persia ? Ormus ? Siam ? 
Tonquin ? the Caspian sea 7 Red sea ? the straits of Malacca ? of 
Sunda ? of Nankin? of Bengal ? the sea of Celebes ? of Kamskatka? 
Where is Ilindoostan 7, Kamskatka ? Cambodia ? Malacca ? Corea r 
What islands are in the Archipelago ? in the Levant ? in the In¬ 
dian ocean ? in the bay of Bengal ? in the Eastern Archipelago ? in 
the Pacific between Asia and America? in the bay of Canton? in 
5lie South Pacific? Where is cape Comorin ? cape Tamour ? Van 
Dieman ? Lopatka ? What isthmus joins Asia to Africa ? Where 
is Pekia? the Chinese wall ? what is its length ? Where is Astracan ? 
Tobolsk ? Irkustk ? Canton ? Where is Calcutta ? Bombay ? Sa- 
mercand ? Delhi? Mecca? Medina? Lassa ? Ispahan? Pegu? Si¬ 
am? Goa? Where are Beering’s straits ? Beering’s island ? Where 
are the isles of Faroe ? the Kurile isles ? the isle of St. Jonas ? 
Which is more northerly, cape Tamour or cape Comorin ? Where is 
the sea of Okotsk ? the Yellow sea. ? the sea of Karskoe the sea of 
Bengal? 


Geography of the Bible. 

Where was the garden of Eden ? for what is it famous 7 Where i* 
mount Ararat 7 for what is it celebrated 7 Where are the rivers Eu¬ 
phrates and Tigris? for what are they famous 7 Where did Nineveh 
stand? for what is it noted ? Where did Babylon stand ? for what is 
i t famous 7 Where was Ur of Chaldea? for what is it celebrated 
Whore is Canaan ? for what is it noted .? Where is Egypt ? for what 




410 


QUESTIONS ON THE MAPS. 


aS . rc ^ ards Abraham and his famify ? Where is the Red ' 
• a : tor '™ at ls famous in the history of the same fannlv ? Where 

uTw! p S ‘m Where the J i , Idern ° ss of t,1G fort y years journey of 
the Jens? .Where is mount Nebo ? for what is it noted? Where is 

rifVnf 7 JO [ dan ’ and for , what is il distinguished ? Where was the 
cuy ot Jericho, and for what is it celebrated ? Where dwelt the Ca- 
naamtes ? How did the Twelve tribes divide the country ? Wherel 
..erusalem, and for what is it famous r Where is Samaria, and for 
4 f V lat , ls " ot . cd ? w ^ere are Dan and Bethel ? what distinguished 
hem . Which way and how far is Nineveh from Samaria? from 
Jjaojlon. VVhich way and how far is Babylon from Jerusalem : 

here was old Tyre ? Where was anci-nt Media and Persia ? How 
was Babylon situated with regard to these kingdoms ? Where is 
i-rreece . which way and how far from Bai.ylon ? Which way and 
• 18 ^ erusa lem from Greece ? Where was modern Tyre ? 
Viieie is Rome " which way and how far from Tyre ? Which way 
and how far is Jerusalem from Rome ? Which way and how far is 
p fMu 01 *' r0m ^ erusa ^ em ■ What distinguished event took place at 
Bethlehem ? Name the places on the map where Jesus Christ minis* 
tered-where he wrought his miracles, and name them-wberc ho was 
crucified, and where he ascended to heaven. Name the places on the 
map where St. Paul and the Apostles preached, and trace Paul’s voy- 
age to Rome. [ Tum'to Hu Map of the World.] Which way and how 
tar is Constantinople from Rome ? Babylon from Rome ? Egyptfr«m 
Home ? Carthage from Rome? England from Rome? Spain and 
France from Rome? the Danube from Rome? W r here is Arabia? 
Mecca? Medina? What remarkable character rose up here, and 
propagated a new religion ? Which way and how far is Egypt from 
Arabia ? the Coast of Barbary from Arabia? the straits of Gibraltar 
from Arabia the kingdom of Spain from Arabia Jerusalem from 
Arabia? the land of Palestine from Arabia? Persia from Arabia: 
Babylon from Arabia ? When the Arabians had conquered all these 
countries, what city did they build in the east, and what did its name 
imply ? Where are Georgia and Circassia ? what is their distance 
and direction from Jerusalem ? what conqueror rose up here ? what is 
their history with regard to the Jews and Romans ? Which way and 
how far is Constantinople from Circassia ? Constantinople from' 
Jerusalem ? what is their history in relation to each other ? 

Questions on the Map of Africa. 


How is Africa bounded ? Where is Mount Atlas ? Where is Sier- 
► ira Leone ? Where are the Mountains of the Moon, and how far do 
they extend ? Where is the river Nile ? where does it rise and where 
does it empty ? when does it overflow its banks and how long ? 
Where is the river Niger? where does it rise, and where is it supposed 
to empty itself ? What inland city stands on the Niger ? What com¬ 
mercial cities stand «n the Nile ? Where is the river Senegal ? the 
Gambia ? where do they empty ? Where are Cuinana and Congo ? 
Where is the Gulf of Guinea ? the Channel of Mozambique ? the 
Straits of Babelmandel? Where arc the Azores ? the Madeiras ? the 
Canaries? the Cape do Verd Isles? St. Thomas? Formosa? St. 
Matthew? Ascension? St. Helena? for what is St. Helena noted 



/. SLIZ¥‘$ m 

4'li QUESTIONS ON THE j'f 

Where is Capo Sara'. ? r.apo GnarJafui; the Cope uja^iouii JlSpi r- 
Gape Negro? CapeVerd? Where is Madagascar ? Bourbon? Mau¬ 
ritius or Isle of France? the Comoro Isles? What Sovereignties com¬ 
pose the States of Barbary ? what is their situation and character ? 
what power holds them tributary ?. Which, wav and how far is Con¬ 
stantinople from Morocco ? Where is the Desert of Zaharaof Bar¬ 
ca ? Where is Negroland ? Which way is Oaffraria from Adel 
What are the divisions of Nubia ? Which is the more northerly, j 
Barbary or Guinea? Which way is Abyssinia from Sierra Leone j 
Which is the mo<re southerly, the country of the Hottentots or Ethio-: 
pia ? Which way is Ethiopia from Egypt ?. 

Questions upon the Map of Palestine. 

Which is more northerly, Jerusalem or Samaria ? Which is more 
southerly, Tyre or Zidon ? Which is more easterly, Mount Hermon, 
or Mount Lebanon ? Which is more westerly, Mount Carmel or \ 
Mount Gilboa ? Which is more easterly, Jerico or Bethel ? Which 
is more northerly, the Dead Sea or Sea of Gennesareth ? Which is | 
the principal liver of Palestine ? where d-oes it rise, and where does it < 
empty? Which is more northerly, Dan or Beersheba? How were 1 
the twelve tribes of Israel located, inregard to each other? which?] 
were the most northerly and which the most southerly? which tr;bcs j 
were located on the west and which on the east side of Jordan? 


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